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National Defence of Lithuania hits 35: the Ministry of National Defence celebrates with public

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2025-04-24
Civic Engagement, Historical memory

Lithuania marks an important historical anniversary on April 25, the 35th birthday of the National Defence Department establishment. The Ministry of National Defence invites the public to remember and tribute the burden of the first defenders of the re-established state who took the responsibility for national security and to celebrate this special day in the history of the country together.

"As we mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the National Defence Department, we wish to express sincere gratitude to all who believed in and created the national defence system of the sovereign Lithuania and celebrate side by side with the society of Lithuania. Their dedication, sacrifice and vision at the time gives us a strong and modern armed forces able to protect and defend the country we can be proud of today. National defence and security depends on all of us, that is why such an important anniversary is more than just a historical date but also a personal holiday to every citizen that we want to share with all the people of Lithuania," says Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė.

According to Minister, the anniversary is not just a commemoration of a date in history. It is about expressing respect to everyone whose courage, faith and sacrifice laid the foundation of the security of Lithuania. It is a thank you to everyone who shared in building and strengthening the National Defence System, starting with the premier green-bands to the force of today whose heroism, sacrifice and dedication brings honor to our country and safeguards its future.

The Ministry o National Defence invites the public to celebrate by attending the conference on the history of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the open debate afterwards at the Vytautas the Great War Museum in Kaunas. In Vilnius, the date will be marked shooting a segment of Vėl Tie Patys podcast in the yard of the Library of the Military Academy of Lithuania with live audience. Hosts Mantas Katleris, Rolandas Mackevičius, and Mantas Stonkus with Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė and Chief of Defence of Lithuania General Raimundas Vaikšnoras will discuss Lithuania's readiness for national defence. The commemoration will culminate in a free "Re-established National Defence Turns 35" concert in the square in front of the MoD building.

On April 25, 1990, just a couple of weeks in after the re-establishment of independence, the Government of Lithuania passed a decision to form the National Defence Department. It was the first institution entrusted with the further development of the national system of the state after the regained sovereignty, which laid the foundation for the strong and modern national defence we have today.

Despite the particularly modest resources at the start, shortage of human resources and infrastructure, the role of the National Defence Department could not be overstated: from national service oversight, civil safety and protection of the first military sites to the first steps of developing the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The National Defence Department was also in charge of officer training organisation, enhancement of border guard and formation of its subdivisions across Lithuania.

The Department was headed by Representatives of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania Audrius Butkevičius whose team comprised young patriots, reserve officers and activists of the Liberation Movement.

In the fall of 1991 the Ministry of National Defence was established, A. Butkevičius was appointed as the Minister and the National Defence Department was dismantled after having completed its mission. This closed the brief but momentous existence of the National Defence Department which exemplifies how having very little does not prevent you from achieving very much, and the most important lesson - to take responsibility for the security of the country. Like the people who had faith in the future of the state did.

Today, 35 years later, the Lithuanian Aramed Forces is stronger than ever, Lithuania counts the 21st year as a member of NATO and the National Defence System enjoys a steadfast trust of foreign partners.

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