Lithuania prides itself on evidence defence expenditure, increases the number of conscriptions and announces further points entering the construction of fresh safety architecture. It is impossible to hide that the transformation of the Lithuanian army started only as a consequence of the annexation of Crimea, and accelerated after the invasion in 2022. But even these late actions are very crucial and essential to strengthen the east flank of NATO. Today, this country can successfully be a function model for many members of the Alliance.
Lithuania shares more than half of its land borders with Belarus and the royal circuit. Additionally, the east part of the country is only 100 km distant from Russia. small wonder, then, that erstwhile the planet heard about Putin's "green people" in early 2014, Vilnius had to get hot. At the time, Lithuania had a very modest army, even for a tiny Baltic country. Both in terms of military numbers (about 8,000 active service soldiers in 2013) and defence spending (1% of GDP). The sense of safety has strengthened global alliances to any degree – Lithuania has been in NATO and the European Union since 2004. But Vilnius has not remained passive, and in fresh years it has not so much made up for lost time to accomplish the essential abilities, which has grown up to imitate many NATO members.
While, last year, any leaders turned their noses on spending 2% of GDP on defence (11 years after the adoption of specified a commitment at the Wales Summit), Lithuania increases the Ministry of Defence budget from 4% of GDP (2025) to evidence 5.38% of GDP this year! This is 43% more nominally than last year.
Building the capabilities of the Lithuanian army is not based on ad hoc solutions, it is not about buying equipment utilized or not adapted to the adopted defence strategy. Lithuanians are gradually and rapidly developing a component of land troops now composed of 1 division, the main core of which are 3 brigades: mechanized, motorized and light infantry. At the same time, it aims to form an infantry division with an armored battalion (until 2030). These efforts can be seen clearly after the list of purchases from fresh years and subsequent expenditures announced. Lithuania has already spent billions of euros on medium-range anti-aircraft defence systems (NASAMS) and short-range (MSHORAD), US-based HIMARS rocket artillery systems, Vilkas wheeled combat infantry vehicles and CV90 track vehicles, German Leopard tanks in the latest version 2A8, American light armored vehicles JLTV, French self-propelled Haubice 155 mm, drones, while not forgetting military and strategical reserves (mainly ammunition) or the individual equipment of soldiers.
Unlike Poland, Lithuania is not developing its air and naval forces. For these types of armed forces, it alternatively keeps the essential minimums. respective helicopters (including Black Hawks and russian Mi-8s) and transport aircraft, including respective vessels (mainly mine and patrol vessels) are almost all that Vilnius has, but it can trust on allied support at sea and in the air, e.g. Polish F-16 operating from the base in Sauls or Baltic Sentra missions last year.
But it's a thoughtful strategy. Savings in these sectors let Lithuania to focus on strengthening widely understood defence capabilities on land, which is simply a very affirmative signal for Poland. Not only about buying weapons, but besides about the announced construction of a fresh camp and deployment of troops in the Suwałki pass or the expansion of the camp in the vicinity of Królewiec. In addition, there is an increase in the number of conscripts to 5000 in 2026 (remember: Lithuanians alongside the professional army keep mandatory military service for young men), evidence backing for the paramilitary organization Lithuanian firearm Union (24.2 million for training, equipment, etc. for more than 18,000 members) and many another government activities (EUR 232 million for military aid to Ukraine in 2025), which not only increases its own security, but besides makes Lithuania an crucial pillar of deterrence and stableness in the Baltic Sea region. Strong Lithuania is simply a stronger Poland and proves that even a comparatively tiny state can play a crucial function in the European defence system.
