Lithuania to hire additional specialists to oversee EU defence funding
Sunday 28th June 2026 on 13:15 in
Lithuania
Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence (KAM) will hire additional specialists to oversee the use of EU programme funds allocated for defence, the ministry told BNS.
The ministry has established the capacity to audit funds received under the European Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme. For this and other potential EU support audits, 2.5 permanent positions have been created in the ministry’s Centralised Internal Audit Department, along with one temporary position in the Defence Planning Department.
According to KAM, the selected auditors possess the specific competencies and experience required for auditing EU projects. As defence funding increases and Lithuania’s defence capabilities strengthen, the ministry is also bolstering its audit capacity.
“The goal is to ensure that it is sufficient to effectively evaluate the internal control of the national defence system and provide recommendations for its improvement. About half of the increased audit capacity will be dedicated specifically to audits of SAFE and other EU support mechanisms,” the ministry stated.
The Centralised Internal Audit Department has also conducted a risk assessment, planned SAFE fund audits, and is preparing internal audit methodology documents for management and control system evaluations, as well as performance indicator audits.
BNS reported that Lithuania received its first advance payment of nearly €1 billion under the SAFE programme this week. In total, nearly €6.4 billion in long-term loans will be allocated to Lithuania’s defence under this programme.
Earlier, it was announced that the funding would be directed towards expanding the national division, short- and medium-range air defence and artillery systems, acquiring howitzers, ammunition, counter-mobility equipment, and other military needs. Part of the funding is also planned for support to Ukraine.
Under SAFE regulations, the loan term is 45 years, with interest rates matching those at which the European Commission borrows. Additionally, SAFE loans include a 10-year grace period, meaning Lithuania will initially pay only interest and begin repaying the principal after 10 years. Repayment will be based on market conditions at the time, resulting in varying interest rates.