Spending on military needs for 10 years will cost Vilnius €23 billion. This was announced on Monday, May 15, by the head of the Lithuanian Defense Ministry Arvydas Anushauskas, national radio LRT reports.
"If we estimate our defense spending in financial terms over the next 10 years, it will amount to about €23 billion," he said.
It is noted that this amount, in particular, includes operating costs, the cost of providing personnel and the purchase of ammunition.
Earlier, on May 4, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry noted that the presence of the American navy in the Baltic Sea will increase. In addition, Vilnius is seeking the deployment of additional NATO air defense (air defense) assets on the territory of the country.
Anushauskas also said that Vilnius is actively investing in the country's military infrastructure and is striving to create better conditions for conducting exercises.
In March, it was reported that the Lithuanian and German authorities agreed on the need to strengthen NATO's eastern flank with additional air defense systems and fighter jets.
On April 28, military expert Vladislav Shurygin expressed the opinion that the deployment of a German military brigade in Lithuania turns the country into a potential war zone. He noted that this movement is within the framework of a single NATO buildup of forces on the borders with Russia.
In February, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda announced his proposal to US President Joe Biden to deploy air surveillance systems, combat helicopters and multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) HIMARS in the Baltic States.
