The increase would bring the country’s annual defence budget up to €725 million next year or 1.77% of GDP. The draft budget will be discussed at the government’s meeting later on Monday.
This year’s budget envisages state spending of €575 million on defence amounting to 1.48% of the gross domestic product (GDP).
Defence Minister Juozas Olekas said the government will ensure that the defence budget will reach 2% of the GDP as required by NATO by 2018.
Lithuania has been lacking behind NATO Allies in terms of defence spending over a long period
However, it has implemented a steep increase in funding over the last few years in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine and its military activity in the Baltic Sea region.
Be the first to comment