Lithuania's Defense Minister Says Record Military Budget Needed and Demands Permanent NATO Deployment

[Lithuanian Defense Minister: The Country Needs a Record-Breaking Military Budget and NATO Troops Stationed Within]

Singapore time, May 30, 2026, Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kunaus said at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore:

This year, Lithuania's defense spending accounts for 5.38% of GDP, making it the highest percentage among NATO members. We are forming our first national army division. Germany will station a full combat brigade on our territory — marking the first permanent forward deployment overseas since the Cold War. We are building all necessary infrastructure and training facilities for them.

Robertas Kunaus added:

Lithuania needs a record-breaking military budget and the presence of NATO forces within the country to ensure its own security and protect itself from coercion by neighboring nations. We continue engaging with partners in the region who face similar pressures, addressing issues such as cyber resilience, comprehensive defense, and societal preparedness. Lithuania is strengthening its defense industrial base, with new production lines for ammunition, drones, and heavy equipment set to be established by 2028. We reaffirm the necessity of industrial-scale production of 155mm artillery shells, as well as the importance of maintaining reliable strategic strike capabilities against any adversary’s backyard.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866603623666691/

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