Lithuania: 5% GDP defence budget could leave army with only Molotovs

Lithuania’s military has raised concerns that the country’s proposed defence budget may be insufficient to maintain modern capabilities, with the army potentially forced to rely on improvised weapons in the event of conflict.

General Raimundas Vaikšnoras, commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, told national radio LRT that while troops are prepared to defend the nation regardless of funding levels, the key question is what tools will be available, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

“The army depends on politicians. We are ready to defend the country, no matter how much is allocated to defence, but the question is whether we defend ourselves with modern military technology or with Molotov cocktails,” he said.

General Vaikšnoras emphasised that Lithuania’s primary focus should be deterrence. “The resources exceeding 5% of gross domestic product would have provided that deterrent capability,” he added.

The warning comes amid debates over the 2026 state budget. The government has proposed defence spending of 5.38% of GDP.

However, a group of parliamentarians has suggested limiting military expenditure to 5% of GDP, in line with NATO guidance for member states, reallocating the difference to internal security measures such as higher salaries for law enforcement officers and improved transport infrastructure.

By Aghakazim Guliyev