Lithuania’s Increased Defense Spending Plans
Lithuania is set to significantly ramp up its defense expenditures, committing to allocate between five and six percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) annually from 2026 to 2030. This announcement was made by President Gitanas Nauseda during a press briefing following a meeting of the state security council. The heightened spending reflects the growing concerns over regional security in the wake of Russia’s ongoing military aggression in Ukraine.
The current minimum defense spending requirement for NATO members stands at two percent of GDP, though several nations have already surpassed this threshold. For instance, Poland has been a leader in defense spending, dedicating 4.12 percent of its GDP last year and planning to increase that figure to 4.7 percent in 2025. In contrast, Lithuania aims to allocate between three and four percent of its GDP for defense in the current year.
