Lithuania sets ambitious goal to strengthen defence capabilities

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has said that Lithuania has committed to increasing its defence spending to 5-6 per cent of GDP.

"Lithuania is committed to allocating 5-6 per cent of GDP for defence spending in 2026-2030. Let’s set an example for other NATO member states," President Nausėda said, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"We will be able to establish a fully operational division by 2030 and strengthen our national defence capabilities," he noted.

Earlier, Lithuania's Defence Ministry announced plans to establish a national infantry division by 2030, fully combat-ready and integrated into NATO's defence plans. Currently, Lithuania spends just over 3 per cent of its GDP on defence.

By surpassing the 5 per cent threshold, it would become the NATO ally with the highest defence spending as a percentage of GDP. At present, Poland leads this category with 4 per cent of its GDP dedicated to defence, but it is expected to reach the 5 per cent mark by the end of the year. 

Lithuania's announcement comes after US President-elect Donald Trump urged NATO allies this month to increase defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP. The current target stands at 2 per cent. Trump has been an outspoken critic of NATO, which has shaped US foreign policy for decades. Recently, he even threatened that the US would not defend members of the alliance who fail to meet defence spending requirements.

By Naila Huseynova