Lithuania planning to create infantry division
Photo: Lithuania preparing plan for creation of infantry division (Getty Images)
Lithuania aims to establish a light infantry division by 2030, according to the Commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, General Valdemaras Rupšys.
Lithuania preparing for possible war
He asserts that in practice, a detailed plan for NATO's collective defense has already been prepared, clearly defining the number of aircraft, ships, the strength of ground forces, brigades, and divisions.
"We and our allies need to fill these gaps as quickly as possible, produce, buy, implement, train the military, and know how we will use these capabilities," the general said.
According to him, according to this plan, the Lithuanian Armed Forces emphasize ground capabilities, so a light infantry division is expected to be created by 2030.
The Chief Commander of the Lithuanian Army believes that the division is intended for joint actions with two other NATO divisions in case of war.
Country wants to buy tanks
Last summer, after a meeting of the State Defense Council, Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas announced Lithuania's plans to purchase German Leopard tanks.
Lithuania sent a letter to Germany's defense department expressing its intention to buy Leopard tanks, but the Ministry of Defense emphasized that this does not mean a final decision to purchase these specific machines.
According to Anušauskas, the decision to purchase tanks is expected to be made this year.
Drones to be added to Lithuania's arsenal
"Today we hear a lot of discussions: tank or drone, drone or artillery, these are strange conversations. It cannot be either this or that; it has to be everything. In today's war, it's a complex of means, without one element, without one connection, it will not work," Rupshis said.
He emphasized that the army also plans to acquire unmanned aerial systems. According to the Chief Commander, in a plan spanning several thousand pages, all acquisitions are prioritized.
Rupshis said on Friday that due to the former policy of disarmament and the war in Ukraine, there are significant gaps in armaments and capabilities in Lithuania and NATO.
NATO and EU countries anticipate Russian attack
It is worth noting that recently, analysts from the German Society for Foreign Policy stated that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin may need up to 6 years to rebuild the army and attack NATO.
Earlier, NATO Lieutenant General Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart stated that Russia is rebuilding its potential and preparing for a possible confrontation with the North Atlantic Alliance.
Additionally, in the summer, the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, stated that Russia must not be allowed to win the war against Ukraine, as in such a case, the aggressor country might attack other states.
