Lithuania to invest EUR 688 million in central military infrastructure

About EUR 688 million will be invested in military infrastructure in central Lithuania by 2030, LRT reports, citing the Ministry of National Defence. The projects in Rukla, Kaunas and Karmėlava are intended to strengthen the Lithuanian Armed Forces and accommodate a German brigade.

Nearly EUR 230 million of the funding will go toward the needs of the national division, while another EUR 170 million is earmarked for the military town complex being developed in Rukla.

“The military infrastructure being developed in the Kaunas region significantly contributes to developing the capabilities of the First National Division, strengthens air defence, creates more service positions and provides modern conditions for Lithuanian troops. This is a direct and multifaceted investment in the combat power of our army. This infrastructure also ensures that we are fulfilling our commitments to our allies as a host country,” Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas was quoted as saying.

According to the ministry, the Neris Terraces complex in Rukla will include residential and administrative buildings, a canteen, a medical centre, sports, training and exercise facilities, leisure areas, logistics support buildings, roads and the necessary engineering networks.

The complex consists of two parts. The Lower Neris Terrace already has a permanent logistics support site, while construction is continuing at the Upper Neris Terrace and is scheduled to run until 2030.

Infrastructure for a tank battalion, a communications and information systems battalion, a logistics battalion and other units is also being built in Rukla for the needs of the First National Division.

Kaunas is developing infrastructure for an engineering regiment and a reconnaissance battalion. In Karmėlava, infrastructure for an artillery regiment and artillery battalion facilities are being built for the division, along with air defence infrastructure.

Across Lithuania, military infrastructure projects worth about EUR 4 billion are due to be implemented over the next four years. Ministry estimates show that about 62 percent of defence budget allocations return directly to the state budget or remain in the Lithuanian economy.