Lithuania is looking to invest EUR 1.1 bllion in countermobility measures over the next decade, says Minister of National Defence D. Šakalienė
Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence
2025-05-26
International cooperation | Security and defense policy
On May 22 through 23, the Baltic Defence Cooperation Ministerial Committee (B3) met in Estonia. Minister of National Defence of Lithuania Dovilė Šakalienė with Minister of Defence of Latvia Andris Sprūds and Minister of Defence of Estonia Hanno Pevkur discussed status of the joint regional projects, security of the critical undersea infrastructure, and agenda of the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague. Other topics addressed at the meeting were strengthening of the European defence capabilities and defence industry, the transatlantic bond and support to Ukraine.
"We have agreed to the general Baltic Defence Concept at this meeting. Lithuania is going to invest EUR 1.1 billion in countermobility measures in the coming decade. This step will be followed by synchronization with Poland, integration of the Baltic Defence Line and the East Shield to obtain European Union funding. Our border is the border of the whole of NATO. We have agreed on joint procurements with the Ministers through SAFE which will save, accelerate delivery of the needed equipment and ensure interoperability and cooperation of our forces," said Minister D. Šakalienė.
Wen addressing strengthening regional security Defence Ministers discussed the developed Baltic Defence Line project: the whole of countermobility measures being positioned along the eastern border of NATO to strengthen the security of the Alliance's borders with Russia and Belarus.
Ministers also discussed further progress on the project development and the EU financing instruments it might be eligible for. Latvia is currently developing a joint Baltic Defence Line and the East Shield Project Concept Note of the Baltic-Polish Ministries of Defence. The project will lay out the concrete projects the countries are prepared to implement together and the EU financing instruments they will apply for. The Note is planned to be signed at a European Council meeting in June.
When discussing strengthening of the European defence capabilities, Ministers reiterated the support to the EU effort to enhance the defensive readiness of the member states in line with the proposals of the White Paper and the ReArm European Initiative. Ministers discussed potential areas of joint procurement as well.
Addressing Lithuania's defence capabilities, Minister reminded of the strategic decision the country had taken based on the National Threat Assessment to allocated 5-6 % of GDP for defence in 2025-2030. She underscored that all NATO Allies had to share the financial burden fairly, for which reason Lithuania would aim to facilitate an agreement on a floor 5% of GDP defence spending and retained definition of defence spending at the next NATO Summit.
D. Šakalienė underlined that coordination of practical Baltic action in accelerating key capability, for example, Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), procurement would enhance the regional defensive readiness and support interoperability within NATO. Minister also pointed out that the lessons of war in Ukraine encourage us to integrate new technologies, such as drones, anti-drone equipment and electronic warfare, besides the conventional capabilities. Implementation of it would ensure flexibility and forward-mindedness of our forces.
While discussing strengthening of the defence industry, D. Šakalienė accentuated that Lithuania aimed for as voluminous production in Lithuania as possible in order to safeguard own defensive capabilities against geopolitical shocks and ruptures of supply chains. According to Minister, we need to stay autonomous in critical areas. This is addressed by the four strategic defence industry clusters developed by Lithuania to meet our and our Allies' needs for ammunition and explosives, drones and anti-drones, production and repair of military equipment, and maritime defensive capabilities.
The Baltic Defence Ministers then focussed on the transatlantic bond. D. Šakalienė noted that despite the ongoing European-deployed U.S. capability review, there we no indications of American intent to curb their military presence in the Baltic states.
In the important discussion on security undersea infrastructure, Ministers agreed that persistent NATO presence in the Baltic Sea is one of the most effective deterrents possible, while the European Union should agree on sanctioning the Russian shadow fleet.
In the debate on the support to Ukraine Baltic Defence Ministers highlighted the regeneration of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at maximum pace in order to strengthen deterrence.
Lithuania supports Ukraine with early 0.3% of GDP and is responsible for coordination of constant provision of specialized vehicles and other demining equipment to demining units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the format of the Capability Coalition for Demining. Lithuania is also prepared to join the Coalition of the Willing, an initiate of thirty nations united by a mission to provide security guarantees to Ukraine after a ceasefire
Ministers concluded the meeting by signing a Joint Communique on further defence cooperation.
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