Lithuania may host more US troops, defence minister says

Lithuania has received positive signals about the continued deployment of US troops and may host more American soldiers than before, Defence Minister Robert Kaunas told LRT Television’s Dienos tema programme, according to LRT.

Kaunas said a meeting in Brussels was mainly technical, with partners exchanging information and aligning their positions on the future deployment of US forces in Europe.

He said Lithuania had responded to questions from the US administration by providing evidence of its defence efforts. Lithuania spends the largest share of its gross domestic product on the security of its citizens among all NATO countries, he said.

The minister also cited the modernisation of the Lithuanian Army, the creation of an integrated automated counter-drone defence system, the assignment of military capabilities to help address the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and the establishment of what he described as some of the best conditions in Europe for training allied forces.

Kaunas said the initial response from allies had been very positive. He stressed that Lithuania’s investments were being made for the country’s and its citizens’ security, rather than for the United States.

He said he could not yet disclose details of the most favourable deployment scenario for Lithuania. After receiving updated figures, information about the type of forces involved and preliminary dates on August 13, he said the overall picture was positive.

Kaunas said the exact timing should not be announced prematurely, as various dates had been mentioned, including the middle of July and the middle of September. He added that the information was being managed and that the United States was a reliable partner.

Asked whether more than 1,000 US troops could be sent to Lithuania, Kaunas said that option was being considered. He said Lithuania was prepared to receive as many allied troops as necessary, while military commanders were finalising the details based on military calculations and what would be most beneficial for the region.

Kaunas said Lithuania now had the capacity to accommodate almost twice as many US troops as before. A town established specifically for American personnel has been operating for nearly a year, and a container town is also available.

The previous deployment included a heavy armoured tank battalion, around 30 Abrams tanks, roughly the same number of Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled howitzers, as well as technical and other support personnel.