Anušauskas: shortened military service to have no impact on number of people serving nine months

National Defence Minister Arvydas Anušauskas says that the conscription reform which provides for a shortened period of service does not abolish the current nine-month military service as the longer service will become voluntary.

The conscripts who opt for longer service will be trained as professional soldiers, capable of taking part in military manoeuvres and operating sophisticated weapon systems, Anušauskas said.