Additional defence budget planned in 2023 government spending bill will be used to purchase weapons and ammunition, according to Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas.
“I believe it would go toward our major arms and ammunition purchases,” the minister said on November 17.
“All countries are queuing up to buy weapons, and we want to increase some purchases, especially those of ammunition,” he added.
Earlier this week, the Cabinet revised its draft 2023 budget bill, raising defence spending to 3% of GDP. The additional funds will be borrowed.
Anusauskas said that some of the money would also be used for constructing warehouses needed to host a German brigade.
The original draft budget set the defence spending target at 2.52 % of GDP. Based on the current GDP forecast, the difference between 2.52% and 3% amounts to 337.3 million euros. (LRT/Business World Magazine)
