The project was presented by National Defence Minister Juozas Olekas. According to him, changes in the structure of the Armed Forces were dictated by the shift in the geopolitical situation, emerging national security threats, revised armed defence concept and the need to enhance Lithuania's defensive capabilities.
One of the fundamental changes is the creation of new Land Force units. In 2016 the Land Force should establish a new motorised infantry brigade. In the next 6 years the number of professional soldiers and senior officers should be increased consistently.
The new motorised infantry brigade will be stationed in western Lithuania. It is planned that the brigade's headquarters will be established in 2016 and it will be assigned two battalions – the Lithuanian Grand Duke Kestutis Mechanised Infantry Battalion and The Lithuanian Grand Duke Butigeidis Dragoon Battalion. By 2021 it should be complemented by new infantry and artillery battalions. Mechanised Brigade Iron Wolf will be strengthened as well – by 2021 it should be complemented by a logistics battalion.
Structural changes in the Lithuanian Armed Forces are related to the changes of margin numbers of statutory servants. The changes are undertaken striving to fully man the Armed Forces' units. It is expected that all military units will be fully manned by 2021. It is also planned that the military reserve will consist of well prepared retired professional soldiers. Therefore in the next 6 years the number of professional soldiers will be increased consistently.
Moreover, it was proposed to increase the number of senior officers in the next 6 years, taking into account the planned increase of the number of soldiers, the establishment of NATO command and control unit and increased representation in NATO headquarters abroad.
The draft law will have to be approved by the Seimas.
