Lithuania: President convenes State Defence Council over division plans

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has called a meeting of the State Defence Council (VGT) for 23 January 2024, BNS reports. The meeting will discuss a strategic threat assessment from the Lithuanian intelligence services, the structure of the national defence system, and the economic and financial measures for building an army division. Lithuania plans to establish a light infantry division by 2030 and reform the conscription system. Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said that the changes would require raising the defence budget by around 0.4-0.5% of GDP, in addition to the 2.52% agreed earlier. One option under consideration is the introduction of a defence tax.