NATO praises Lithuania’s defence funding and military expansion plans

NATO defence planners have commended Lithuania’s progress in expanding and modernising its armed forces, highlighting the country’s defence spending as a model for allies, the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence (KAM) reported on Wednesday.

During consultations this week, Lithuanian officials presented the alliance with the country’s defence capability development plans, which focus on building the National Division and strengthening air defence. NATO planners emphasised that Lithuania’s allocation of a significant share of its defence budget to these critical areas directly reinforces the alliance’s deterrence and defence posture in the region.

Vaido Urbelis, KAM’s director of defence policy, assured allies that implementing NATO’s regional defence plans remains Lithuania’s top priority. The alliance’s assessment noted that Lithuania must sustain defence spending at 5–6% of GDP to maintain high readiness levels for combat and combat support units.

Urbelis also underscored Lithuania’s investments in air defence and counter-drone systems, urging other European allies to prioritise these capabilities. He called for additional NATO assets to be allocated to the Baltic states during the alliance’s upcoming summit in Ankara.

NATO planners further acknowledged Lithuania’s comprehensive host-nation support for allied troops stationed in the country, describing it as a vital enabler for defence planning. Lithuania’s 2026 defence budget stands at approximately €4.8 billion, or 5.38% of GDP, with funds directed toward the National Division, new equipment, infrastructure for Lithuanian forces, and facilities for allied personnel.