Lithuania's new army chief: universal conscription would be strong message to allies - BNS INTERVIEW

VILNIUS – The introduction of universal conscription in Lithuania would send a strong political message to allies, the country's new Chief of Defense Raimundas Vaiksnoras says, adding, however, that such a model can only be introduced after proper preparations.

"I have not been and will not be an advocate and a fan of diving headfirst into universal conscription. We have to prepare so that we don’t have a reverse process, a reverse effect," the general said in an interview with BNS. "Let's start with the men and the boys, that's achievable."

Some 3,800 conscripts are expected to be called up this year, but Lithuania's political leadership predicts that this number could reach 7,000 over the next five years.

Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas has said that this "would be de facto universal conscription".

Lithuania had mulled introducing compulsory conscription for females, but as this would require more funds, the matter has been postponed.

Vaiksnoras argues that Lithuania needs to have a strong reserve of young post-conscription people.

"You know, no one else will come. If we don't show our willingness to defend our homeland, so to speak, fully or totally, we will send that bad message. And if we expect the Americans, the Germans, to come and defend us, you know, this is wrong," the new army chief, who took office last week, said.

IN CONTACT WITH LITHUANIANS IN UKRAINE

Vaiksnoras says he's in contact with Lithuanians fighting in Ukraine and providing support to local troops.

"I am also getting more information about the atmosphere, what soldiers are thinking about on the ground, what the tactical and technical procedures are," the general said, adding that the situation in Ukraine is helping him to get new ideas about army capabilities, such as the development of unmanned aerial vehicles.

"With me in this position, I think we will go deeper. And if those guys and girls (in Ukraine - BNS) who want and have the opportunity to share something, my door will be open and we will try to look and search together," the army commander said.

By learning the lessons of the war in Ukraine, Vaiksnoras will strive to integrate drone capabilities into practically every unit of the army.

In his words, the war in Ukraine has also proved the importance of counter-mobility measures, and Lithuania plans to install them along its borders with Russia and Belarus.

"I understand that there are different opinions but the Surovikin line itself has shown that even those cleverly arranged WWII obstacles in the interaction with mines and cover (...) have produced results, unfortunately, not for the benefit of the Ukrainians," the general said.

"But the fact is that warfare is changing. Ukraine is one of those, let's put this not very nice way, training grounds where new systems and also tactics and ways of warfare are being tested. However, as you mentioned, the war with NATO will be different. It is likely to be fast, lightning fast and there will be no "wait a minute"," he added.

OPTIMISTIC ABOUT GERMAN BRIGADE

Vaiksnoras also remains optimistic that the German brigade will be deployed in Lithuania in time in late 2027.

A mid-July Business Insider article claimed that Vilnius had informed Berlin that the infrastructure needed to deploy the brigade would not be ready in time and that the brigade's final deployment could therefore be delayed until late 2028 or early 2029. The German Defense Ministry has held a meeting on this matter, but no decisions have been made yet.

"We will make every effort to ensure that the brigade arrives when it is agreed, at the end of 2027," the army chief said. "And, yes, I have seen that timeline, it is quite optimistic. Therefore, if something fails for various reasons – maybe our construction companies will not be able to deliver on time, there's a lot of talk, rumors on the lack of resources, but we will sit, talk and consult," the general said.

"But today the goal is very clear: the brigade arrives by the end of 2027 and we will stick to it. Across all lines," he added.