The 2022 budget amendment allocating almost 300 million euros in additional funding for national defense passed the Seimas with 123 votes in favor, none against and none abstentions.
The amendment allows the state to borrow funds for its NATO membership commitments, ensuring defense allocations at 2.52 percent of GDP.
It has yet to be signed into law by President Gitanas Nauseda.
Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte has said the amendment will allow raising defense spending by a total of 297.99 million euros this year.
The current budget allocates just over 1.2 billion euros, or 2.05 percent of GDP, to the Defense Ministry.
A couple of weeks ago, the government approved 40.43 million euros in additional funding from borrowed funds to the Defense Ministry to cover its costs of hosting NATO allied forces in Lithuania.
According to the Finance Ministry, the proposed budget amendment will allow an additional allocation of up to 257.6 million euros for national defense this year.
The Defense Ministry plans to use the additional appropriations to bring forward its planned acquisitions of multiple launch rocket systems, combat drones, anti-tank systems, ammunition and equipment.
Some 44.4 million euros would be spent to install military camps, 158 million euros on weapons and military equipment, 66 million euros on ammunition, 10.7 million euros on cyber security, and 21 million euros on bulletproof vests, communication equipment and medical supplies.
Lithuania is beefing up its defense spending following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in late February. Fears about security in the region have also led allies to send more forces to Lithuania.
redakcija@bns.lt , +370 5 239 64 16, Vilnius newsroom
