Lithuanian defense financing should be increased to 4 percent of GDP so that the country can purchase large -range air defense systems and other defense means. This was stated by the Minister of Defense of Lithuania Laurinas Kashchunas, reports LRT.
“The goal is to achieve 4 percent of the GDP for defense. This would allow us not only to save current programs, but also to begin the national Patriot air defense system acquisition systems of high -range airborne. enemy, ”Kashmunas said at the congress of the Union of the Fatherland – Lithuanian Christian Democrats (SO -LHD).
In August, the Lithuanian government allocated an additional 130 million euros for the purchase of weapons, which increased the share of the defense budget to 3.2 percent of GDP this year.
The current agreement of the security and defense parties does not contain specific obligations to increase financing, but the Sejm has already decided to raise taxes to provide at least 3 percent of GDP for defense needs.
Lithuania President Gitanas Nauceda emphasized that Vilnius should spend at least 3.5 percent of GDP on defense annually.
In the spring, the initiative to finance defense at the level of 4 percent of GDP supported the business of the Republic of Lithuania.