On July 30–31, Chief of Defence of Poland General Janne Jaakkola is conducting a formal visit to Lithuania. He has met with Chief of Defence of Lithuania General Raimundas Vaikšnoras, receives briefings on the developed Lithuanian capabilities and the security situation.
“Finland is one of the best examples of total defence put into practice in Europe. Lithuania sees great value in its long experience in training a substantial and high-quality military reserve strengthening public resilience and mobilising public institutions, its business and citizens for the common aim of security. One of my priorities as Chief of Defence is quality training for the trained reserve and a gradual progress towards universal conscription. Therefore, we find Finland’s experience in this sphere particularly important and aim to expand our practical cooperation and strengthen deterrence and defence of the NATO Eastern Flank together as we recognise mutual security interests,” says Chief of Defence General Raimundas Vaikšnoras.
The Finnish delegation will receive briefings on the priorities of the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ development. One of the key highlight of the visit is presentation of the Autonomous and Remotely Piloted Unmanned Aerial Operations Unit (Lith. ANBO) to General J. Jaakkola at the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area.
Chief of Defence of Finland will continue the visit in the Padvarionys Border Guard Station where he will be familiarise with the security situation on the external border of the EU, surveillance equipment, hybrid challenges, and counter-mobility installations. He will proceed to pay tribute to the victims of the Medininkai Massacre at the Medininkai Memorial with the Lithuanian Chief of Defence.
Lithuania and Finland are bound by a close military cooperation within NATO. Both Allies are consistently strengthening their defensive capabilities, as well as the principles of total defence, conduct active reserve training and strengthen security on the Eastern Flank together with the other NATO Allies.
Photo credit: Sgt Spc Karolis Kavolėlis.
