Lithuania’s Ministry of Defence has tripled funding for the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, a paramilitary non-profit, with funds earmarked for procuring weapons and equipment.
The Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union has been allocated up to 4.8 million euros in additional funding this year, which is a three-fold increase compared to last year.
The Union, the main activity of which is military training for civilians, plans to use the additional funds to purchase 4,500 sets of new uniforms, 1,500 G-36 automatic rifles with ammunition, 2,000 helmets, 500 armoured vests, 2,000 accoutrement vests and backpacks, 70 thermal imaging cameras and 250 digital radios in 2022-2025.
Moreover, there are plans to acquire 60 frame tents with equipment, 20 power generators, 16 all-terrain vehicles and eight minibuses.
“The events of the past few years have shown that riflemen are crucial not only for bolstering defence readiness, but they can also successfully support civilian institutions in peacetime: provide assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic, make a significant contribution to providing assistance during the irregular migration crisis, and making a significant contribution to overcoming national security challenges,” Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said.
There are also plans to up the number of funded positions within the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union and raise pay.
On July 1, an agreement between the Ministry of Defence and the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union on the use of state budget funds came into force, changing the union’s funding model.
Moreover, the organisation has been assigned greater responsibility in meeting its financial obligations, with state budget allocations now directly linked to performance and efficiency.
Established in 1919, the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union now has around 12,700 members. (LRT/Business World Magazine)
