5 WHITE FOREWORD Society’s growing interest in national defence and service in the Lithuanian Armed Forces, demonstrates that defence issues are important to our citizens. With this White Paper, we seek to present Lithuania’s defence policy not only to defence and military experts but also to the whole of society. We think that it is important to discuss widely why a particular defence policy is implemented, what our goals are and what tasks are still waiting to be accomplished in the area of national defence. During the last ten years, Lithuania’s security environment has changed beyond recognition. During this time we encountered the use of military power against Georgia and Ukraine. Moreover, Russian military activities have grown in size and scope near our borders as well. Russia demonstrates its ability to use military and non-military means simultaneously, continuous information attacks are observed in our information space and the threat of cyber-attacks is as acute as never before. In addition, the security problems in the Southern neighbourhood of Europe, such as terrorism, flows of illegal migration and humanitarian crises have a direct and indirect negative impact on Lithuania’s security. These security challenges led to the revision of the directions and priorities of Lithuania’s defence policy. While reacting to the changes in the security environment, the highest priority is given to the strengthening of national defence capabilities. The Lithuanian Armed Forces have to be prepared to rapidly and properly respond to the rising threats. The growing defence budget allows us to better develop and modernise the capabilities of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. We have to continue to develop two Land Force brigades, expand the necessary infrastructure and improve the conscription system. And these are only few of the important tasks in strengthening national defence. In this unpredictable security environment, the importance of NATO and the transatlantic partnership with the U.S. has grown. The presence of Allies’ forces in Lithuania contributes to the credible deterrence and demonstrates the solidarity of NATO. At the same time, the Lithuanian military contributes to international security by participating in international operations and missions in various regions around the world. As the nature of threats we face changes, preparedness of society, its will, and resolve to defend the country, acquire a greater significance. With this in mind, we have put efforts to strengthen the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union and to provide opportunities for citizens to acquire military and nonviolent resistance skills and knowledge as well as to educate society in recognising information attacks. No less an important task is to increase cyber security. The uniting idea of all these elements is the notion that only together, military, civil institutions and society, can we ensure our comprehensive security. This new White Paper on Lithuania’s defence policy offers a possibility to take a closer look at the directions of Lithuania’s defence policy, changes in the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the ways we intend to strengthen the state and society’s preparedness for defence. Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis PA P E R