Lithuanian Armed Forces

The Lithuanian Armed Forces (Lithuanian: Lietuvos ginkluotosios pajėgos) are the military of Lithuania. The Lithuanian Armed Forces consist of the Lithuanian Land Forces, the Lithuanian Navy, the Lithuanian Air Force and the Lithuanian Special Operations Force. In wartime, the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service (which is under the supervision of the Ministry of the Interior in peacetime) becomes part of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The purpose of the Lithuanian Armed Forces are to be the principal deterrent against any security threat to the nation. Lithuania's defence system is based on the concept of "total and unconditional defence" mandated by Lithuania's National Security Strategy. The goal of Lithuania's defence policy is to prepare their society for general defence and to integrate Lithuania into Western security and defence structures. The Ministry of National Defence is responsible for combat forces, search and rescue, and intelligence operations. Male conscription is in place since 2015, when it was reinstated after being ended in 2008, due to concerns about the geopolitical environment in light of the Russo-Ukrainian War. Female service in Lithuania is currently voluntary, but it has become the subject of growing political and public debate, with defence officials and policymakers advocating a greater role for women in the armed forces and some leaders warning that Lithuania may ultimately need to introduce female or universal conscription in response to long-term security challenges, demographic constraints, and the evolving regional security environment. In early 2022, Lithuania's defence budget for 2022 was approximately €1.05 billion,[c] but it was increased to €1.5 billion on 17 March 2022. In 2024, the budget was raised to €2.3 billion and is projected to reach 3.03% of GDP.