"Changed geopolitical situation and insufficient manning of units of the Lithuanian Armed Forces leads to a temporary reintroduction of conscription. The development of the Lithuanian Armed Forces will remain directed at professional military service, however, today we lack professional soldiers so a compound model will be introduced for the coming 5 years," Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas said.
The decision on the compulsory basic military service is yet to be approved by the Parliament.
The permanent compulsory basic military service would apply to conscripts between the age of 19 and 26 (inclusive) and to graduates of higher education institutions of the age of up till 38 (inclusive). The compulsory basic military service will be performed for a period of 9 months.
The initial plan is to call up 3-3.5 thousand young people annually.
