Lithuania’s defence budget 2016-2018 focuses on developing priority capabilities and combat training

“The funds will at least partly cover the losses the financing of the Lithuanian Armed Forces suffered in 2009-2012. We will focus on the following priority areas: combat training and modernisation of the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ units, and development of priority capabilities,” Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas says.

According to the minister, the funding will be used for purchasing infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled howitzers, anti-tank, aircraft defence and communications systems, marksman and sniper rifles, surveillance and measuring equipment, personal equipment, airspace surveillance procurements and other priority acquisitions.

The funding will also be used for developing the infrastructure of the Lithuanian Air Force Base, for stepping up patriotic and civil education of the society, and for the mandatory basic military service.

The larger part of the expenses is taken up by the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic States, the rotational allied forces, national rapid response capabilities, and development of the National Centre for Cyber Security.

Budgets of the Ministry of National Defence for the current and next year have been drafted in accordance with NATO standards, i.e., funding for personnel needs does not exceed 50 percent and major procurement and weaponry do not take up less than 20 percent of the appropriations for the Ministry of National Defence.