The Baltic States will present a capability development plan at the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, BNS reports. Estonian President Alar Karis emphasised the need for increased defence spending, suggesting a minimum target of 2.5-3% of GDP. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda pointed out that Lithuania’s defence spending has already reached 3% of GDP in 2024….
NATO must be ready for Russia turning even more hostile in the decade to come, Estonian President Alar Karis warned, ERR reports. Speaking after a meeting with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda in Vilnius, Karis said that Russia would remain NATO’s most serious military threat for a very long time. He called on NATO allies to…
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics called for increased EU defence spending, exempting it from fiscal rules, Kathimerini reports. He emphasised the need for the EU to be more self-reliant in defence and for more coordination in defence matters. During his visit to Athens, Rinkevics discussed with Greek officials boosting economic ties, securing more funding for external…
Estonia has sent Mistral anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine, Fakti reports. The French-made short-range missiles can be used against low-flying aircraft and helicopters. The missiles can be fired by individual servicemen or mounted on vehicles, ships, or helicopters. In June 2024, Estonia signed a joint contract with France, Cyprus, and Hungary to replenish its stocks…
The Baltic States will receive a total of USD 228mn in security assistance from the US under the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) in 2024, ERR reports. The three countries received USD 225mn of assistance under the initiative in 2023, USD 180mn in 2022, and USD 169mn in 2021. The exact amount distributed to each of…
Estonia and Latvia will receive TRML-4D radars from German defence electronics manufacturer Hensoldt under the European Sky Shield Initiative, Defense News reports. The company will integrate the radars, worth more than EUR 100mn, into the IRIS-T SLM air defence systems on behalf of Germany’s Diehl Defence. The radars will allow for the detection of aerial…
Lithuania’s Ministry of Defence is negotiating with the US defence corporation, Northrop Grumman, on opening an ammunition factory in Lithuania, Defence Minister Laurynas Kasciunas announced, BNS reports. The factory would produce 30mm ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles. Kasciunas suggested that Lithuania’s state-owned ammunition manufacturer, Giraites Ginkluotes Gamykla, could house the new production line.
Latvians are very enthusiastic to take part in national defence, the commander of the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS), Lieutenent General Leonids Kalnins, stated, LETA reports. Speaking in an interview with LTV, Kalnins said that the public had shown “enormous interest” in the recently announced open application for basic military training for reservists. Also, interest…
Lithuania’s ministries of defence and finance are developing a mobile application to enable public donations for national defence, aiming for a summer rollout, BNS reports. Finance Minister Gintare Skaiste said that the app would allow for both periodic and one-off payments, similar to NGOs helping Ukraine. Earlier, the government rejected a proposal on voluntary donations…