The Republic of Lithuania joined the Oslo Process Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) in 2010, the assessment of feasible threats has changed radically since then, the security environment has deteriorated, military risks to Lithuania has grown, the Russian Federation has become a direct threat to the Republic of Lithuania, all of which requires to revisit provisions of the Convention from the perspective of national security.
Cluster munitions are highly effective in large territory defence and an efficiency multiplier against large spectrum targets. Replacing standard ammunition with cluster ammunition reduces logistical burden and cost nearly by half as it takes a significantly smaller amount of ammunition to achieve the same impact.
The international legal commitments adhered to under the Oslo Convention also binds Allied forces on the territory of Lithuania affecting their defensive capability and combat power by prohibiting the use of cluster ammunition for training or combat purposes. It impairs the effectiveness of deterrence, a potential adversary is given advantage whey it knows that Lithuania and Allied troops in its territory cannot use and do not possess effective means of defence. If Lithuania withdrew from the Convention when already involved in an armed conflict, it would have no legal right nor time to get the supplies, integrate and eventually use cluster munitions.
The Oslo Convention is additional humanitarian commitment state typically assume when facing no military threat from their neighbors. Lithuania’s neighbor countries and most of the Allies bordering Russia and Belarus are nor signatories of the Oslo Convention. Lithuania and Norway are the only NATO members that are partiers to the Convention and have a border with Russia.
The negative effects of cluster munition use can be mitigated with rules and procedures of proper use, particularly emphasizing respect of international legal norms and principles. If Lithuania withdraws from the Solo Convention, it will still be bound the UN Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols thus ensuring protection of civilians according to the norms of international humanitarian law.
