Lithuania raises Defense budget 2022 to 2.52 percent of GDP.

As reported by LRT, on September 29, the Lithuanian parliament Seimas unanimously approved a proposal to increase the 2022 defense funding to 2.52 percent of the GDP, a NATO demand addressed to all the Allies. The 2022 budget amendment, allocating 298 million euros in additional funding for national defense, passed the Seimas with 123 votes in favor, none against, and no abstentions.
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NATO’s multinational battlegroup in Lithuania (Picture source: NATO)

Lithuania's current national budget allocates just over 1.2 billion euros, or 2.05 percent of GDP, to the Defense Ministry. The amendment allows the State to borrow funds for its NATO membership commitments, ensuring defense allocations at 2.52 percent of GDP. It has yet to be signed into law by President Gitanas Nausėda, LRT reports.

Defence Minister Arvydas Anušauskas said that “The additional national defense funding will allow us to bring forward some of the previously planned acquisitions of armaments needed to strengthen the defense capability of the Lithuanian Armed Forces“.

Around 257.6 million euros of the additional funds will be spent on the acquisition of necessary armaments, equipment, and ammunition, while the rest will go towards hosting NATO troops in Lithuania, the Defence ministry said in a press release. According to Defence Minister Arvydas Anušauskas, 158.5 million euros will be spent on armaments, 66.8 million euros on the purchase of ammunition, 10.7 million euros on cyber-security, and 21.6 million euros on other things, such as bullet-proof vests, communication equipment, medical supplies, and others.