Lithuania needs at least 10 universal defence training centres, says deputy minister

Lithuania should establish at least 10 universal defence training centres—one in each of the country’s counties—according to Deputy Defence Minister Tomas Godliauskas, as reported by BNS.

Speaking at a press conference on civilian safety, Godliauskas emphasised the need to expand the network of training facilities, which would serve both peacetime and crisis-preparedness functions. “Our goal is to encourage the development of this network,” he said. “We see clear synergy in creating civic spaces, with the primary objective of having at least one such facility in each of the ten counties.”

The centres would provide training in firearms handling, drone operation, and construction, among other skills. Godliauskas noted that municipalities hosting military or training grounds already receive 0.3–0.5% of GDP allocations for social, security, and economic infrastructure—a significant incentive.

Funding could also come from the State Defence Fund, which allocates €25 million annually for civil defence shelters and municipal infrastructure. The deputy minister proposed a 50-50 cost-sharing model between the Defence Ministry and local governments, with potential additional EU funding to accelerate implementation.

Lithuania currently has 67 shooting ranges—44 open-air and 23 indoor—but Godliauskas stressed the need for at least 49 more multipurpose facilities accessible to the military, marksmen, hunters, athletes, and licensed gun owners.

Training sites to double as critical shelters

Mantas Varaška, mayor of Kazlų Rūda, described the proposed infrastructure as integrating shooting ranges, shelters, defence training spaces, sports facilities, parking, and leisure areas. A 50-metre space could shelter 1,500 people, while a 100-metre site could accommodate 3,000, he explained.

Preliminary estimates place the cost of a smaller facility at €3–3.5 million. Varaška highlighted the urgency of coordinating with authorities to standardise underground project designs, ensuring these spaces can swiftly convert into critical shelters when needed. “Today, we are in the process of finalising technical solutions,” he said.

Systematic development of such sites would strengthen civil defence nationwide, Godliauskas added, enabling better management of shelter networks, standardised protocols, and urban simulation exercises.

The Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania (LSA) first proposed the underground infrastructure concept in early April, calling on the government and relevant ministries to adopt it. Roma Žakaitienė, LSA director, confirmed initial support from the Interior Ministry and noted potential funding through an additional €152 million in investments.