“We thank the Pennsylvania National Guard for many years of friendship and support to the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The US is significantly increasing funding for the National Guard State Partnership Program, of which Lithuania is also a part,” the Ministry of National Defence quotes R. Kaunas.
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The minister spoke this way after meeting with Steven Nordhaus, Chief of the US National Guard Bureau, who is visiting Lithuania.
“For its part, Lithuania continues to principledly share the burden of strengthening security – allies positively received the news of Lithuania’s readiness to join US-led actions in the Strait of Hormuz by allocating mine clearance capabilities,” R. Kaunas noted.
BNS announced that Lithuania would like to send up to 40 soldiers and civilians to international missions in the Strait of Hormuz, where they would participate in mine clearance operations. According to R. Kaunas, actions could also be carried out in the waters of the Persian and Oman Gulfs bordering the strait.
On Thursday, the Seimas approved such a mission, confirmed by the State Defence Council, after its submission, and parliamentarians will consider it urgently.
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During the meeting with S. Nordhaus, the minister also expressed a desire to expand cooperation with both the Pennsylvania National Guard and other US military units in combating drones, including experimental technologies.
In addition, discussions were held on attracting US defence industry companies to Lithuania, the need to maintain political and economic pressure on Russia, and to sustain support for Ukraine.
According to the Ministry of National Defence, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau noted that Lithuania remains an exemplary and reliable ally. The parties to the meeting agreed to seek more frequent officer exchanges, share best practices, and strengthen both countries’ competence in new technologies.
As BNS wrote, the Pennsylvania National Guard has been cooperating with Lithuania since 1993 under the State Partnership Program.
