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Strategic infrastructure for Allies and Lithuanian military built in Šiauliai

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2023-04-20

One of the principal long-term projects of the Ministry of National Defence is investment in infrastructure development at the Lithuanian Air Force Base at Šiauliai. It is critical for suitable Host Nation Support for Allied forces deploying in Lithuania and capabilities rotating in to ensure the NATO Air Policing Mission tasks, as presence that significantly enhances the security of Lithuania and deterrence. The infrastructure development at the Air Base is also relevant for Lithuania's interest to maintain the national military airlift capability. The project worth of over EUR 166 million will be financed over the course until 2028.

"The Lithuanian Air Force Base is a critical Armed Forces unit. The infrastructure developed there is of relevance to both, our military and NATO, this relevance has been amplified by the changes in the geopolitical situation and the resulting increased Allied deployments, reinforcement of the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states. The infrastructure development, too, increases the Airbase readiness to provide host support to deploying NATO Allies, as well as interoperability and deterrence," says Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas.

The Air Force Base infrastructure development plans have been fully set, in parallel, the requirements and needs are coordinated with Allies, and the work is carried out in stages so as to keep the Base operational for its daily routines.

NATO makes significant investment in the airbase infrastructure project alongside Lithuania. In the period 2023-2024, the financial part is estimated to amount to approx. EUR 66.7 million, approx. EUR 37.7 million out of which will be allocated by the NATO Security Investment Programme. The investment made in the Air Base infrastructure improvement will total to over EUR 166 million until 2028 over the time, approx. EUR 50 million of it will be contributed by NATO.

The refurbishment begins with constructions of a hangar for the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters the Lithuanian Armed Forces acquires, the first two of which are expected to arrive next year already. The hangar is planned to be completed by this year. 2024 is planned to see a completed overhaul of three platforms and the taxiway, the first stage of the airfield perimeter fencing reconstruction finished, as well as installation of a shelter on the auxiliary runway.

Major portion of the constructions partly financed by NATO, such as aircraft parking platforms or cargo facility, is planned to be completed next year as well. Particularly relevant to NATO, the projects are set to be completed by 2025, which will be accompanied by the finished second stage of the perimeter fencing reconstruction and helicopter platform construction.

The hangars of various purposes for additional NATO Air Policing fighter aircraft and Lithuanian Air Force C-27J Spartan cargo aircraft, training building, areas for Host Nation Support purposes, third stage of the perimeter fencing reconstruction and more work is planned to be completed by 2026. The sports facility is estimated to be ready by 2028 and utilities reconstruction with it.

More about the Lithuanian Armed Forces infrastructure development: https://kam.lt/en/infrastructure-development/