Lithuania to establish defence attaché position in Israel

The Lithuanian government has approved the creation of a defence attaché position at its embassy in Israel, with the post also accredited to Ireland, LRT reports.

The new role, proposed by the Ministry of National Defence, will be established by July and funded through the ministry’s budget, requiring approximately €350,000 annually. The decision follows expanding defence cooperation between Lithuania and Israel since 2001, with intensified collaboration in defence industry and cybersecurity since 2017.

According to the ministry, Lithuania’s armed forces are particularly interested in Israel’s defence experience, including total defence, societal resilience, crisis management, and mobilisation practices. A permanent defence attaché will facilitate direct cooperation with Israeli defence and industry institutions, supporting ongoing projects to strengthen Lithuania’s military capabilities and defence sector.

The Presidential Office also endorsed the move. Gitanas Nausėda’s chief advisor, Deividas Matulionis, previously noted Israel’s advanced military capabilities and defence industry, calling its total defence concept and civil resilience models of global significance. He dismissed concerns over potential political backlash, stating that Lithuania independently determines its foreign policy.

Israel appointed its first defence attaché to Lithuania last summer, based in Prague. The new Lithuanian attaché will similarly operate from Israel while covering Ireland—a country with which defence ties have been limited due to its neutrality but are growing amid shared EU security priorities, particularly in response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

Lithuania, Ireland, and Greece will form the EU Council’s presidency trio starting in July 2026, with Lithuania’s term beginning in 2027. The ministry emphasised the need for early political and military dialogue to prepare a joint 18-month presidency programme.