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NATO experts commend Lithuania's progress on implementing of the Alliance's defence planning standards

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2025-11-04
Development and Strengthening of the Armed Forces | Security and defense policy

A team of NATO experts chaired by Director of the Policy and Capabilities Division in the International Military Staff Karl Ford and Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning Zamir Nichol Catsar paid a visit to the Ministry of National Defence. With Vice Minister of National Defence Tomas Godliauskas, Defence Policy Director Vaidotas Urbelis and other MoD and Lithuanian Armed Forces representatives on Lithuania's side, the guests took stock of Lithuania's progress on the Alliance's defence planning requirements - and discussed directions of further capability development.

NATO commitments of the Allies were confirmed at the NATO Defence Ministerial in June 2025. The scope of Lithuania's commitments has significantly expanded since the previous planning cycle, especially for the short term, therefore, the visit emphasized the importance of keeping the defence budget bar at 5-6% of GDP forward. The decision of the State Defence Council to dedicated 5-6% of GDP for defence was praised as a substantial step to ensure the NATO commitments are delivered on.

According to Defence Policy Director V. Urbelis, Lithuania was consistently strengthening its military capabilities and civil readiness in order not just to fulfil the NATO commitments but also to ensure national security in the long term. "Lithuania is committed to contributing to the defence of the entire Alliance territory from the first centimeter. We aim for capabilities that add power nationally but also are compatible with the Allied structure, just like the decisions - based on operational necessity and cost-effective in terms of resources," said V. Urbelis.

Lithuania has done significant practical work since approving the commitments, that will build up in the advantage of effective implementation of NATO commitments in the future. However, several challenges were pinpointed as well and Lithuania will have to find solutions. The risky areas include manning, timely acquisition of equipment and integration of it, and the capacity of defence industry to manufacture and hand over the required amount of equipment on time. Also, compatibility of concepts of different countries, additional requirements of the Capability Building Plan, and possible shifts in the U.S defence policy concerning a larger part of the burden for European security channeled to Europe.

Representatives of the Ministry of National Defence also expressed a stance on the upcoming planning cycle and presented proposals to the NATO team. Among the highlights there were the importance of keeping the level of ambition of the NATO Political Guidance agreed to in 2023 and loyalty to the principle of every inch of the Allied territory, as well as the necessity to retain the minimum NATO capability requirements set in 2024 to ensure a reliable implementation of the regional operational plans.

The NATO experts also underscored that Lithuania's activity testified of a consistent implementation of the commitments and a strong political will, while the national efforts were an important contribution in ensuring collective defence in the eastern flank.