Lithuania completes key military exercise Perkūno Tvirtovė 2026

The Lithuanian Armed Forces have concluded one of their most significant exercises of the year, Perkūno Tvirtovė 2026 (*Thunder Fortress 2026*), state broadcaster LRT reports. The drill focused on testing and refining the country’s defence plans, coordination with NATO allies, and operational readiness ahead of larger autumn manoeuvres.

During the exercise, the Joint Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, service branches, and command units conducted military operation planning based on the national defence strategy. A revised alternative defence plan—referred to as a “branch plan”—was developed, alongside tactical preparations and briefings for senior leadership. Procedures for synchronising efforts with NATO partners were also evaluated.

“These drills were not only about updating and verifying defence plans but also assessing how effectively different levels of command—both international and Lithuanian—can function as a unified system,” said Rear Admiral Giedrius Premeneckas. He emphasised the importance of grounding planning in “real capabilities, clear situational awareness, and close cooperation with NATO allies.”

The exercise included coordination with NATO headquarters in Brunswick (Germany), Naples (Italy), Norfolk (USA), and SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe), which integrated Lithuania’s defence plans into the alliance’s updated regional strategies. Key focus areas were modernising command structures, integrating reserve forces into the defence system, and improving operational planning across branches—including an evaluation of the Naval Forces’ command procedures.

A parallel contingent of Defence Staff officers participated in NATO’s Steadfast Deterrence 2026 in Norway, testing cross-border coordination and information-sharing protocols. A critical phase of the Lithuanian exercise involved operational-level wargaming, simulating the integration of military hardware planned for acquisition by 2030. This phase assessed resource allocation, identified strengths and gaps in plans, and laid the groundwork for the upcoming Perkūno Griausmas 2026 (*Thunder Strike 2026*) field exercises in autumn, where tactical manoeuvres will be executed across Lithuania.

The Perkūno series follows a staged approach: initial phases focus on command-level planning and documentation, while later stages shift to field training under realistic conditions. The sequence ensures systematic preparation for national defence and alliance interoperability.