NATO member states must agree on a minimum defense spending of at least 3 percent of their gross domestic product, visiting Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene emphasized during her visit to The Hague on Wednesday. During her trip, Sakaliene participated in various meetings with leaders to discuss current and future regional challenges, including the importance of continuing defense assistance to Ukraine against Russian invasion and protecting critical infrastructure, such as undersea cables, in light of increasing threats.
Defense Spending Requirement
In a meeting with her counterparts from the Netherlands, Latvia and Estonia, the minister stressed the need for member states to establish a minimum defense spending requirement to ensure regional security.
“As Lithuania has come near the verge of 4 percent of GDP defense spending and looks into the possibilities to increase the defense budget, we anticipate the minimum defense spending to be set at 3 percent of GDP at the NATO Summit in The Hague this summer,” Sakaliene said.
Support for Ukraine
While addressing a panel on defense issues in the Baltic and NATO regions, the Lithuanian defense chief highlighted the importance of Ukraine’s future to regional security and outlined how the alliance can continue to support its defense needs.
She identified four main areas for assistance: urgent weaponry requirements, support for Ukraine’s defense industry production, the Demining Capability Coalition and various international initiatives.
Building National Defense
Sakaliene’s remarks reflect her government’s commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities and expanding the national defense manufacturing sector. Earlier this year, the Ministry of National Defence acquired L3Harris Technologies-made manpack radios and small drones from AeroVironment to improve its armed forces’ capabilities.
Additionally, Lithuania has facilitated a joint venture involving Rheinmetall, EPSO-G Invest and Giraites ginkluotes gamykla to establish a manufacturing facility for 155 mm artillery shells in the country.