Lithuania plans to introduce universal military conscription in 2032, President Gitanas Nausėda said on Thursday after the State Defence Council agreed on the timeline.
The council comprises the country's political and military leadership. Women would continue to be able to perform military service on a voluntary basis, he said.
Lithuania restored partial conscription in 2015 after trying to switch to fully professional armed forces, citing increased security threats following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Under universal conscription, the annual number of young people drafted would rise from more than 5,000 to about 7,500, accounting for demographic trends and the fact that some young people are deemed medically unfit for service, the president said.
Nausėda said the 2032 target would give the country time to invest in adequate accommodation for the larger number of conscripts and train enough instructors. Conscript training also needs to be balanced with refresher training for reserve personnel, he said. "I think implementing conscription from 2032 is optimal," Nausėda said.
Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said the government wanted a quicker transition to universal conscription but was convinced by the military to push the date back to 2032. "You could say there is political will, but at the same time, there is the question of the military's readiness. The military has clearly stated that they would be ready by 2032," he told reporters. He described the council's discussion of the date as "at length and in detail, with lively debates", and said everyone agreed the move should not be treated as a race but carried out when the country is prepared.
Preparations would include training some 300 instructors and building suitable facilities to house the young draftees. The council also agreed to expand the range of service options available to conscripts, which could include training as drone operators or assisting the State Border Guard Service and firefighting and rescue services, the president said.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Lithuania will require a substantially larger share of its young people to serve in the armed forces, with the annual draft rising by about half once the system is fully in place.
- The decision cements Lithuania's shift back toward conscription that began in 2015, driven by security concerns over Russia.
- The eight-year transition commits the government to building accommodation and training instructors before the larger intake begins.
Background
Lithuania is a NATO and European Union member on the Baltic Sea, bordering Russia's Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus. The country moved to a fully professional military before restoring partial conscription in 2015, citing increased security threats following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Key Perspectives
- President Gitanas Nausėda: Says 2032 is the optimal date, giving Lithuania time to invest in accommodation, train enough instructors and balance conscript training with refresher training for reservists.
- Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius: Says the government wanted a faster transition but accepted the military's position that it would be ready by 2032; the council agreed universal conscription is inevitable but should happen when the country is prepared.
What to Watch
- Whether the 2032 target holds, given the prime minister's comment that the council did not regard a specific date as set in stone.
- Progress on the roughly 300 instructors and new accommodation needed to support about 7,500 conscripts a year.
- Which of the expanded service options, such as drone training or support for the border guard and firefighting and rescue services, are offered to conscripts.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedLithuania plans to introduce universal military conscription in 2032.LRT English: “Lithuania plans to introduce universal military conscription in 2032, requiring a larger number of young people to serve in the armed forces amid security concerns, President Gitanas Nausėda said Thursday.”
- SupportedPresident Gitanas Nausėda said Lithuania plans to introduce universal conscription in 2032.LRT English: “Lithuania plans to introduce universal military conscription in 2032, requiring a larger number of young people to serve in the armed forces amid security concerns, President Gitanas Nausėda said Thursday.”
- SupportedThe State Defence Council agreed on the timeline.LRT English: “The State Defence Council, which comprises the country’s political and military leadership, agreed on the timeline at a meeting, Nausėda told reporters afterward.”
- SupportedWomen would continue to be able to perform military service voluntarily.LRT English: “Women would continue to be able to perform military service on a voluntary basis, he said.”
- SupportedLithuania currently drafts more than 5,000 young people a year, and universal conscription would raise that number to about 7,500.LRT English: “Lithuania currently drafts more than 5,000 young people into the armed forces each year. Under universal conscription, the annual number would rise to about 7,500, accounting for demographic trends”
- SupportedLithuania restored partial conscription in 2015 after trying to switch to fully professional armed forces, citing security threats following Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea.LRT English: “After trying to switch to fully professional armed forces, Lithuania restored partial conscription in 2015, citing increased security threats following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.”
- SupportedNausėda said the 2032 target would allow time for accommodation and instructor training.LRT English: “Nausėda said the 2032 target would give the country time to invest in adequate accommodation for the larger number of conscripts and train enough instructors.”
- SupportedNausėda said, “I think implementing conscription from 2032 is optimal.”LRT English: ““I think implementing conscription from 2032 is optimal,” Nausėda said.”
- SupportedPrime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said the government wanted a quicker transition but was convinced by the military to push the date back to 2032.LRT English: “According to Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius, the government wanted a quicker transition to universal conscription, but were convinced by the military to push back the date to 2032.”
- SupportedSinkevičius said the military had clearly stated it would be ready by 2032.LRT English: ““You could say there is political will, but at the same time, there is the question of the military’s readiness. The military has clearly stated that they would be ready by 2032,” Sinkevičius told reporters after Thursday’s State Defence Council meeting.”
- SupportedSinkevičius described the council’s discussion as “at length and in detail, with lively debates.”LRT English: “The date for introducing universal conscription was discussed “at length and in detail, with lively debates” at the council, the PM said.”
- SupportedPreparations would include training about 300 instructors and building facilities to house young draftees.LRT English: “The preparations would include training some 300 instructors and building suitable facilities to house the young draftees, he added.”