On October 12-14 a delegaton of NATO military representatives from 21 member states visiting Lithuania were briefed on the situation on the alliance’s eastern flank. The delegation visited Lithuanian and NATO military units to learn about their activity and organization, according to a ministry press release, and met with Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas, Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lt-Gen Valdemaras Rupšys, top command and staff of Lithuanian and allied units in Lithuania.
During a meeting at the Defense Ministry, the delegation was briefed on the development of Lithuania’s defence infrastructure and host nation support, modernization of equipment and gear, and new acquisitions. “NATO needs to remain united and strengthen deterrence and defence in the face of the threat from Russia. In the light of it, cooperation and allied military presence – NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group, NATO Force Integration Unit and the NATO Air Policing Mission – in Lithuania constitutes our chief security guarantee,” said Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas.
The delegation’s itinerary also included visiting military personnel of other NATO allies serving in Lithuania: the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Rukla, troops with the U.S. 3-66 Battalion at General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area in Pabradė, and the NATO Air Policing Mission currently conducted by the Royal Danish Air Force and the Portuguese Air Force at Šiauliai Air Base. The NATO Military Representatives also attended Exercise Iron Wolf 2021-II which began on October 13 to train over 3000 military personnel from 12 NATO allies and Ukraine.
NATO Military Representatives are officers that serve on behalf of their respective Chiefs of Defence at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels (Belgium). Lithuania’s current Military Representative to NATO and the EU is Brigadier General Remigijus Baltrėnas. His main task is to represent the Chief of Defence of Lithuania and national military interests at the NATO Military Committee and the EU Military Committee.
News from Ministry of Defence (KAM)
