News archive (2021 - 12)

On 21 December 2021, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Estonia, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, the Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania had a Ministerial Committee (MC) meeting in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Subsequently, ministers condemned Russia’s attempts to establish spheres of influence in Europe and deny sovereign countries’ right to determine their own future. Any decision on possible dialogue with Russia cannot be based on Russia’s demands or preconditions. European and especially Baltic security has gravely suffered from such agreements and ultimatums in the past.

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Aiming to increase the share of advanced technology in the Lithuanian defence industry, the Ministry of National Defence has approved the Defence Technology Development Lithuania Programme for 2021–2023. Funding for defence technology development projects is expected to promote the benefit of defence and the national defence system by tapping into the potential of science

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As the year approaches a close, the Ministry of National Defence has completed fully two more procurement projects. AROCS customized platform vehicles of Daimler AG German manufacturer have been delivered to the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the last shipment of Peugeot Dangel Expert cross-country versatile cargo vans has arrived. The equipment will strengthen the National Defence Volunteer Force. The total worth of the contracts amounts to approx. EUR 16 million.

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MODIFICATIONS UPDATE

This week the U.S. Department of State finalized the notification to the U.S. Congress procedure concerning the Javelin mid-range anti-tank weaponry sale to Lithuania. The total worth of the transfer of arms – missiles, launchers and other components of the Javelin system – to Lithuania has been approved to be increased to USD 125 million. The Defence Material Agency under the MoND and the United States Government is set to sign the addition to the contract on the procurement of a part of that equipment in the nearest while.

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“We are delighted with the proper response of NATO, EU bodies and members to the hybrid attack against the Baltic states that the Belarusian regime has launched by instrumentalising migration – we are thankful for the assistance and proper understanding of the gravity of the situation. Now we need a proper response to the Russian escalation in Ukraine – the Russian actions press for additional NATO measures of deterrence,” said Minister of National Defence Tuesday Arvydas Anušauskas at a Baltic Defence Ministers meeting on the regional security situation in Kaunas.

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December 21, Tuesday, Ministers of Defence of the Baltic states will meet at the Vytautas the Great War Museum in Kaunas. Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas, Minister of Defence of Latvia Artis Pabriks and Minister of Defence of Estonia Kalle Laanet will address the current affairs in regional security and cooperation in NATO and EU formats.

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On December 13 – 19 fighter aircraft conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states were scrambled once to intercept military aircraft of the Russian Federation in the international airspace over the Baltic Sea.

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“We see Germany as a partner of extraordinary importance, and a firm support to Lithuania’s security. We look to strengthen and deepen our already close cooperation even more in the coming year," said Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas at a meeting on bilateral cooperation with the new Federal Minister of Defence, Christine Lambrecht, Sunday at Rukla. According to the Lithuanian Minister, Germany remains strongly committed to the security of our region.

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Back in November the Defence Materiel Agency under the Ministry of National Defence signed a contract on acquisition of 356 items of second-hand military transport equipment from the Netherlands. As it has been agreed, the Netherlands Armed Forces will deliver to Lithuania 125 items of Mercedes-Benz GD 290 before the end of this year, most of the shipment will be given to National Defence Volunteer Force territorial units for state border guard operations. The volunteer troops are foreseen to ride the new purchase to serve in the border area with Belarus as soon as starting December 20.

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“Our unity and support to Ukraine remain vital. We have to back Ukraine in every way possible – by political, economic, military means,” said Vice Minister of National Defence Margiris Abukevičius at a virtual Nordic-Baltic (NB8) Defence Ministers meeting Friday. A significant part of the session was dedicated to the security situation concerning Ukraine.

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