Lithuanian Armed Forces
The Lithuanian Armed Forces (Lithuanian: Lietuvos ginkluotosios pajėgos) are the military of Lithuania. The Lithuanian Armed Forces consist of the Lithuanian Land Forces, the Lithuanian Naval Force, the Lithuanian Air Force and the Lithuanian Special Operations Force. In wartime, the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service (which is under the supervision of the Ministry of the Interior in peacetime) becomes part of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. A special security department handles VIP protection and communications security.
Lithuanian Armed Forces
23 November 1918
(first armed formations c. 12th century)
25 April 1990
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18–55
9 months
890,074 males, age 16–49 (2016 est.),
875,780 females, age 16–49 (2016 est.)
669,111 males, age 16–49 (2016 est.),
724,803 females, age 16–49 (2016 est.)
20,425 males (2016 est.),
19,527 females (2016 est.)
Active reserve 28,000, total reserve 104,000 (2021)[1]
€2.1 billion
(2024)[3]
2.77% (2024)[3]
1918–20 Lithuanian Wars of Independence
1944–53 Lithuanian partisans
1994 Bosnian War
2001–2021 War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
2003–2008 Invasion of Iraq
2004–Present Kosovo Force
2013–Present EUTM Mali
2013–Present Operation Atalanta
2014 Operation Sangaris
2015–present EU Navfor Med
2017–present MINUSMA
The purpose of the Lithuanian Armed Forces are to be the principal deterrent against any security threat to the nation. Lithuania's defence system is based on the concept of "total and unconditional defence" mandated by Lithuania's National Security Strategy. The goal of Lithuania's defence policy is to prepare their society for general defence and to integrate Lithuania into Western security and defence structures. The Ministry of National Defence is responsible for combat forces, search and rescue, and intelligence operations.[4]
Male conscription is in place since 2015, when it was reinstated after being ended in 2008, due to concerns about the geopolitical environment in light of the Russo-Ukrainian War.[5]
In early 2022, Lithuania's defence budget for 2022 was approximately €1.05 billion,[1][c] but it was increased to €1.5 billion on 17 March 2022.[6]
