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Lithuanian Military Doctrine

Since Lithuania’s defense structures grew out of volunteer formations and were aimed at a very limited range of activities (mostly providing security for government institutions, strategic objects, and border posts), their goals and purposes were not clearly defined. The landmark legislation in this area was the Law on the Basics of National Security. Adopted by the Seimas (parliament) on December 19, 1996, the Law on Basics of National Security provided the legal framework for establishing the National defense system based on both citizens and government initiatives directed at enhancing Lithuania’s security and stability. According to this document, the risks and threats to Lithuania's security are seen in "the specific geopolitical environment, hardly predictable due to existing militarized territories and states of unstable democracy."

The main national security enhancing measures include "participation in international security consolidating organizations, membership in NATO, the EU, and WEU, strategic planning of national security and preparation and implementation of long range State security strengthening programs, […] and legislation regulating the system of ensuring security and defense.”

Lithuanian Military Doctrine was published by the Chief of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania by the order No. V-193 on March 10, 2010. Lithuanian military doctrine identifies ways of armed forces’ employment to ensure the interests of national security, and defines the provisions and principles of the Lithuanian Armed Forces development and employment in military operations.

Lithuania aims to have modern, well-equipped, mobile, deployable and sustainable armed forces, which could serve national needs and ensure the implementation of international commitments. It is developing its armed forces in order to be able to sustain an infantry battalion with all combat support and combat service support elements and a special operations squadron in one operation outside the country, or three combat units no bigger than company-size within a larger multinational military unit in three operations. At the same time, the Lithuanian Armed Forces also keep developing military capabilities which could be designated to protect objects of national importance and to assist the civilian authorities in times of crisis, when civilian institutions do not have the necessary capabilities.

Lithuanian statehood is based on assurance of democratic constitutional fundamentals, upholding of democratic values and participation in the activity of international organizations - NATO, the European Union, the United Nations, European Security and Cooperation Organizatio fostering the same values. Lithuania belongs to organizations (NATO, EU, UN), which recognize the values of democracy, and may create or have the military capabilities and which comply with the relevant principles of warfare. In addition to these organizations in today's world there are other participants, accepting different values and principles of warfare: individual states, their unions or non-state groups.

Lithuania shall resist the aggressor with all available means: military defence and guerrilla warfare, disobedience of civil citizens, non-collaboration and other ways. The armed forces, as organized military power, shall be employed in organising military defence and guerrilla warfare. Therefore, the armed forces should be ready for swift response, regrouping, interoperability within own forces and with NATO Allies, as well as be ready for organized resistance by scattered military units.

Today no state can be secure on its own, as the dangers of international terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, natural and industrial disasters, illegal migration and other threats no longer recognise state borders. The role of the Armed Forces is increasing and changing. Apart from the traditional mission to defend its territory from external aggression the Armed Forces are prepared to participate in the full spectrum of international operations.

Membership of NATO and the EU has provided Lithuania with an opportunity to participate in the decision-making process on Euro-Atlantic security matters and collective defence. In solving common security issues together with countries of the Alliance, Lithuania forms and implements its defence policy, taking on its obligations. As in many NATO countries, a transformation is also taking place in the Armed Forces of Lithuania. It is aimed at creating capabilities which would make them ready to take on present and future challenges and threats, as well as future tasks not known today but which have to be fulfilled if the security situation changes.

Lithuanian Armed Forces (either independently or together with Allies) are designed for deterrence and resistance against threats posed against Lithuania and NATO members. In peace time the armed forces, in order to provide deterrence and protection of the territory of Lithuania, carry out development directed towards future defence requirements, training of existing units and stability operations; control the national territory and respond to armed offenses (e.g., airspace, maritime surveillance and control, search and rescue, incidents of military transit, mine clearing, etc.). If the conflict increases, more units of the armed forces are employed, thus increasing the contribution of the armed forces to conflict resolution.

State defence encompasses armed resistance against direct armed aggression against the Republic of Lithuania. In this case the armed forces carry out military operations, and other elements of the national defence establishment provide support by carrying out missions defined in the State Defence Plans. There are two possible options of defence: an independent national defence and collective defence with allies. In both cases, civil resistance of the entire society against the aggressor makes moral and physical basis of the armed defence.

While carrying out defensive operation independently, the armed forces employ regular troops and all types of reserve units both in own territory and in the territory occupied by the enemy. The most important objective - to stop the enemy in order to gain time, maintain the territory / objects, demoralize the enemy, causing him chaos and constant sense of surprise. In order to reach this result the actions of units should be coordinated and controlled throughout the country simultaneously.

While carrying out Lithuanian collective defence jointly with the Allied forces, Lithuanian Armed Forces participate in joint defensive operations to the extent indicated in the Collective Defence Plan. Operational forces of the Lithuanian Armed Forces are assigned to NATO operational command. In all cases Lithuanian Armed Forces contribute to the host nation support to the Allied forces. In this case, regular and all types of reserve military units are employed.

Armed forces units may conduct operations outside Lithuania (e.g., NATO article 5 operations in the territory of Allies, UN article 6 and 7 UN operations). Lithuanian Armed Forces carry out operations outside Lithuania as a member of NATO, EU, UN or ad hoc coalitions. Lithuanian troops also can be employed to provide military assistance to the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania abroad.

The Agreement between the Lithuanian parliamentary parties regarding the defence policy for 2012-2016 of 08 May 2012 covered the the directions of the defence policy of Lithuania, the principles of the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ transformation, citizens preparation for defence and participation in international operations as well as allocation of the necessary financial resources to the national defence system. The parliamentary parties of Lithuania agreed that Lithuania will implement a balanced defence policy, giving an equal importance to its national needs and international commitments. To this end, Lithuania will strengthen military capabilities needed for national defence, at the same time aspiring to ensure an adequate contribution to the development of NATO’s collective defence capabilities and international efforts to promote peace and stability outside the Alliance.