Today the Seimas has approved draft resolution developed by the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and tabled by the President mandating military and civilian personnel of the National Defence System of Lithuania to be deployed to 14 multinational missions and operations in 2026–2027. The maximum number of posted Lithuanian representatives was set to 412.
“Geopolitical security challenges remain, therefore Allied effort towards global peace and stability remain an important and relevant mission as well. Over three decades of contributing to multinational missions and operations is a consistent proof that we respect our obligations to international security and we are reliable Allies and partners. Like the previous year, we will continue supporting the implementation of the objectives laid out in the NATO Strategic Concept, the Common Security and Defence Policy, UN peacekeeping efforts, as well as multilateral and bilateral cooperation,” says Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas.
The latest mandate includes two new multinational missions: the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina Operation Althea and the European Union Training Mission Somalia (EUTM Somalia).
The Seimas Resolution also opens the door for Lithuanian expert deployment with cyber rapid responds teams (CRRTs) to EU missions and operations. The CRRTs are eligible as support to EU member states, Union institutions, missions and operations, and EU partner countries in cyber incident response or IT vulnerability testing if requested. Lithuania currently takes part in several EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) projects and leads one, the Cyber Rapid Response Teams and Mutual Assistance in Cyber Security. The CRRTs were formed as part of implementation of this project.
In 2026-2027 Lithuania will maintain contribution to the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI), the NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR), European Union Training Mission in Central African Republic, the EU Naval Force Somalia (EU NAVFOR) – Operation ATALANTA and Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, the European Union Training Mission in Mozambique (EUMAM Mozambique), the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) and the United Kingdom-led Operation Interflex.
Lithuania also gears up to continue the National Military Training Operation in Ukraine, on NATO and EU members states’ soil for Armed Forces of Ukraine training purposes in response to invitations of the respective countries to do so. Lithuania will have troops available for deployment to Alliance-led or Alliance-conducted operations compliant with the goals and principles of the United Nations and norms of international law in the Indo-Pacific.
The mandate approved by the Seimas sets out limit numbers of military and civilian personnel of the National Defence System that may be contributed to concrete multinational operations, while factual contributions will depend on circumstances such as the capabilities and other commitments of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, requirement in the concrete operation and security situation in the country the Lithuanian personnel is deployed to, and the capacity of the Allies to integrate Lithuanian troops into their contingents.
