Conservatives in Seimas register resolution on multi-layered air defence

Members of the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) faction in the Seimas, Laurynas Kasčiūnas and Dainius Kreivys, have registered a draft resolution on the approval of a multi-layered air defence concept, LRT reports.

The document aims to obligate the government and the Ministry of National Defence to transition from individual arms purchases to an integrated air defence system covering the entire country, its critical infrastructure, and population.

Presenting the concept, Kasčiūnas and Kreivys emphasised that air defence is currently one of the weakest capabilities not only in Lithuania but across the entire NATO alliance. They argue that, in response to evolving threats and lessons from the war in Ukraine, current state efforts and investments are insufficient.

According to Kasčiūnas, the head of the TS-LKD faction in the Seimas, parliament must approve the multi-layered air defence concept and propose that the government and the Ministry of National Defence follow it when procuring weaponry.

“We still have two sessions left in this spring session. On behalf of the TS-LKD faction, we will ask for the resolution on multi-layered air defence to be included in one of them. If the concept is approved, the state will essentially have to re-evaluate its entire military procurement policy,” Kasčiūnas was quoted as saying in the announcement.

“We are ready to present this concept personally to the new prime minister and seek joint solutions on the allocation of state resources,” he added.

The basis for this resolution is the multi-layered air defence project “Lithuania’s Sky Shield,” presented by the TS-LKD faction on June 16. The project, as stated in the press release, is based not on individual air defence purchases but on a unified national air defence architecture.

President Gitanas Nausėda noted in his annual address that the country needs effective air defence, including protection against drones.