Lithuanian military service members to be deployed to 14 international operations

Lithuanian military service members to be deployed to 14 international operations

Press release, 18 December 2025 (News● Photos ● Broadcasts and videos)

The Seimas approved the deployment of Lithuanian military service members and civilian employees of the national defence system to 14 international operations in 2026-2027. The relevant Resolution of the Seimas (draft No XVP-1065(2)) was adopted by 70 votes in favour, with no votes against and no abstentions.

Participation in international operations remains an important expression of Lithuania's commitment to international security and a means of contributing to the implementation of the tasks set forth in NATO's Strategic Concept, strengthening of the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy, the UN's peacekeeping efforts, and multilateral and bilateral military cooperation.

In 2026-2027, the priorities will remain the same, i.e. participation in international operations led by NATO, NATO allies' coalitions and the EU will continue, and efforts will be made to maintain the military training operation of the Republic of Lithuania in Ukraine. In 2026-2027, the maximum permitted number of military units, military service members and civilian employees of the national defence system to be deployed to international operations will remain similar to the number in 2024-2025.

It was decided that, from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027, up to 50 military service members and civilian employees of the national defence system will be deployed to the NATO military training operation in Iraq, up to 60 to the NATO-led operation in Kosovo, up to 20 to the EU Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINIin the Mediterranean, and up to 30 to the EU Operation Atalanta. It is also planned to deploy up to 11 military service members and civilian employees to the EU military training missions in the Central African Republic and Mozambique.

It was agreed to deploy up to 40 military service members and civilian employees of the national defence system to the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine in the EU Member States, up to 40 to the US-led coalition's Operation Inherent Resolve, up to 5 to the international maritime security operation in the Strait of Hormuz, up to 100 to the military training operation in Ukraine, NATO and EU Member States for training of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, provided that there is an invitation from these states to conduct training in their territory, up to 25 to the UK-led international operation Interflexto train Ukrainian troops in the United Kingdom, and up to 10 military service members and civilian employees to international operations led or conducted by allies in the Indo-Pacific region in accordance with the objectives and principles of the United Nations, Lithuania's international treaties or other provisions of international law.

Up to 5 military service members and civilian employees of the national defence system will be deployed to the EU military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to the EU military mission with a view to contributing to the training of Somali security forces.

In total, up to 412 Lithuanian military service members and civilian employees of the national defence system are to be deployed to international operations in the period 2026-2027.

Rimas Rudaitis, Adviser, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 209 6132, e-mail: [email protected]