Lithuanian Armed Forces

The Lithuanian Armed Forces are the military organization responsible for the defence of Lithuania’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They consist of several service branches, including the Land Force, the Air Force, the Naval Force and the Special Operations Force. Their primary tasks involve protecting the state’s borders, conducting territorial defence, and supporting civil authorities when required. The armed forces also train and prepare personnel for participation in multinational operations and peace‑keeping missions under international mandates.

Headquarters of the Lithuanian Armed Forces are located in Lithuania. The force operates under the authority of the Ministry of National Defence, which sets defence policy and oversees budgetary and administrative matters. As a member of NATO since 2004, the Lithuanian Armed Forces integrate with allied structures and contribute to collective defence initiatives such as the enhanced forward presence in the region.

They have taken part in international missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Balkans and maritime security operations, demonstrating their expeditionary capability. The 2015 cyber incident, in which a military website was defaced with false NATO‑related claims, highlighted the growing importance of cyber defence within the organisation’s overall security posture. In response to that breach, the National Cyber Security Centre assisted in restoring the site and reinforced efforts to protect military information networks. The Lithuanian Armed Forces continue to develop capabilities across conventional, special and cyber domains to meet evolving security challenges.