Lithuania: Defence Minister calls for raising defence budget to 4% of GDP

Lithuania should aim to raise its defence budget to 4% of GDP, Defence Minister Laurynas Kasciunas stated, BNS reports. He said that this would allow Lithuania to maintain existing capabilities and acquire long-range air defence systems and combat helicopters. Earlier, President Gitanas Nauseda urged to raise defence spending to at least 3.5% of GDP. Lithuania’s defence budget will reach 3.2% of GDP in 2024. Kasciunas said that Lithuania was in talks with Poland about setting up a regional ammunition logistics centre for HIMARS rocket launchers. He expressed hope that Poland and the US would agree on the plan in 2025. Lithuania is due to receive the first of eight HIMARS systems in 2025.