The leaders of parliamentary parties in Lithuania on July 15 signed a new national defence agreement, pledging to keep military spending above 2.5% GDP and increase the number of conscripts. “We are signing this agreement at a truly special time when it’s very important to objectively assess the changed geostrategic environment and arising new threats,…
A Bayraktar drone crowdfunded by people in Lithuania has already been delivered to Ukraine, Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas has said. “The Ukrainians have announced that they have received the Bayraktar Hawk from us,” Anusauskas said in a Facebook post on July 8. Crowdfunded during a campaign by Laisves TV and Andrius Tapinas, the drone…
A Bayraktar combat drone has been delivered to Lithuania to be handed over to Ukraine, Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said on July 4. “The Bayraktar “Vanagas” (Hawk) with all the bought ammunition is already in Lithuania!” the minister wrote on Twitter. “On July 6, we will have a quick presentation of it in the Siauliai…
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…
Estonia and Latvia are jointly to procure mid-range air defense systems following an agreement at the NATO Madrid Summit. Defense minister Kalle Laanet (Reform) and his Latvian counterpart Artis Pabriks signed a letter of intent while in the Spanish capital, which would create a legal framework for the systems’ joint procurement. Laanet said: “The NATO…
Germany’s Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann opened Lithuania Defense Services (LDS), a centre for servicing military vehicles, in the central town of Jonava on June 29. The centre will provide logistical and maintenance services for combat vehicles owned by Lithuania and its NATO allies, the Defence Ministry and the Lithuanian Armed Forces say. “Allied deployments in…
Deployment of a larger NATO contingent in Latvia will require a new base, warehouses and barracks, says Latvian Minister of Defence Artis Pabriks. In preparation for the summit, NATO Military Committee presented different recommendations regarding possible development scenarios. “Major changes” include deployment of NATO battle groups in multiple countries in which this has not happened…