Defence
Defence
Defence
Lithuanian conscripts ‘cheesed off’ after seeing NATO soldiers’ food
“Dinner in the canteen: ‘Oh look, there’s cheese!’ – a soldier exclaimed. ‘No, its for the Americans,’ the chef answered strictly” – this was an exchange shared by Lithuanian journalist Ignas Krupavičius, who is currently serving as a conscript in the Lithuanian army. […]
Defence
NATO endorses plans to deploy additional forces in Eastern Europe
Defence ministers of NATO countries on Wednesday endorsed plans to step up the Alliance’s military presence in Eastern Europe in response to Russia‘s actions, Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas said. […]
Defence
Back to the future: 1,000-strong NATO battalions for Lithuania, Baltic States
One thousand-strong battalions of NATO troops could be stationed permanently in Lithuania and each of the Baltic States under new plans to create a deterrent to Russian aggression. […]
Defence
Defence
Baltic States disappointed as new US forces to be concentrated in Western Europe
A recent announcement from Washington that the United States is giving a four-fold boost to its military spending in Europe has sent waves of joy through Lithuania, but it appears that most of the US military presence will be concentrated in Western Europe, which has the necessary infrastructure already in place to support American forces, rather than Eastern Europe. […]
Defence
Quiet skies over Baltic for NATO jets in 2016
The beginning of the year 2016 remains calm for NATO air-policing jets guarding the Baltic skies – they again were not scrambled to identify and intercept military aircraft of the Russian Federation or other countries last week, the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence said. […]
Defence
Over 250 international troops to take part in special forces exercise in Lithuania
Over 250 soldiers and civilian staff of the armed forces are to take part in an international special forces exercise Flaming Sword this spring. […]
Defence
Lithuanian border guards targeted by foreign intelligence six times last year
Foreign intelligence agencies keep approaching Lithuania’s border guards in order to recruit them, the State Border Guard Service (VSAT) said on Friday. Six such attempts were reported last year. […]
Defence
Lithuanian analysts unconvinced by BBC’s World War Three scenario
A recent programme aired by the BBC explores a hypothetical doomsday scenario of a nuclear stand-off between Russia and NATO over Latvia. Analysts in Lithuania say it presents too simplistic a take on geopolitical realities in Eastern Europe which, in itself, could erode confidence in NATO‘s collective defence commitments. […]
Defence
Rand study ‘excellent lobbying tool’ for Baltics
A recent study by an American think tank, saying that the Baltic states would be an easy target for Russian aggression, could be used as a tool to lobby NATO allies to step up their presence in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, says Lithuanian military expert Deividas Šlekys. […]
Defence
Russian invasion scenario a ‘good warning’ for allies, says Lithuanian minister
Analysis published by US analysts, suggesting that NATO should step up the military security of the Baltic states, is a “good warning for the Allies,” says Lithuania’s Defence Minister Juozas Olekas. […]
Defence
Russia could occupy all Baltic States within three days – US analysts
If Russian tanks and troops invaded the Baltic States, NATO forces would be overrun in just under three days, according to a war games simulation by the Rand Corporation, a leading US think tank. […]
Defence
Bigger US military budget means more troops for Lithuania, Olekas says
After official announcement of the US plans to quadruple its defence budget for Europe, Lithuania’s Defence Minister Juozas Olekas says this would mean deployment of a larger number of US troops and equipment in Lithuania. […]
Defence
Two thirds of Lithuanians support raising defence funding
About 67% of the Lithuanian population fully or in part agree on the need to increase defence funding to 2% of the gross domestic product (GDP), shows a poll published by the Ministry of National Defence. […]
Defence
Lithuania could become logistics hub for US military, says defence minister
Lithuania could become a regional logistics centre for the US military, says Lithuania’s Defence Minister Juozas Olekas. […]
Defence
New €5.6m military building to house foreign troops in Šiauliai
A new dormitory will be built at the Air Force Aviation Base in Šiauliai to house foreign soldiers on short stays during redeployment, exercises and for the NATO air policing mission. […]
Defence
Sweden would defend Lithuania in case of an attack
Sweden would defend Lithuania in case of a military attack, say Swedish experts, although they also acknowledge that after two centuries of neutrality, the country‘s military has such a reduced capability that some Swedes doubt that their armed forces would be sufficient to protect their own country. […]
Defence
Defence
US calls on allies to send more troops to Baltic States
Deputy US Secretary of State Victoria Nuland has called on NATO allies to send more troops to the Baltic States to ensure that a battalion-strength force is present at all times. […]