Ministry of National Defence (Lithuania)

History

The first cabinet ministers of the Republic of Lithuania were appointed on 11 November 1918, and the position of defence minister was initially assumed by prime minister Augustinas Voldemaras. The situation in Lithuania was tense after World War I. The first decree concerning national defence was issued on 23 November 1918, which is officially considered the day of the formation of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. On 24 December 1918, lieutenant general Mykolas Velykis became the defence minister but served for just two days; he was replaced by Jonas Vileišis. The country began mobilizing its population as soon as the defence ministry was formed, as it had to defend its sovereignty in the Lithuanian Wars of Independence (1918–1920).

Following the end of Soviet rule and the restoration of Lithuania's independence on 11 March 1990, the Lithuanian defence ministry was reestablished on 25 April 1990. The ministry celebrates 25 April annually with public ceremonies in Kaunas and Vilnius.

Departments and services

• Second Operational Services Department
• General Affairs Department of the Ministry of National Defence
• Centralized Finance and Property Service of the Ministry of National Defence
• General Jonas Žemaitis Lithuanian Military Academy
• Defence Resources Agency of the Ministry of National Defence
• Information Technology Service of the Ministry of National Defence
• Infrastructure Management Agency
• Key State Telecommunications Centre
• Mobilization and Civil Resistance Department of the Ministry of National Defence
• National Cyber Security Centre
• National Coordination Centre
• Vytautas the Great War Museum
• General Povilas Plechavičius Cadet Lyceum

Defence Materiel Agency

As of 2023, about 100 people work for the Defence Materiel Agency.

In 2022, the Lithuanian Ministry of Economy and Innovation awarded the Defence Materiel Agency for "high standards in its public procurement practices".

Leadership of the ministry

The leadership of the Ministry of National Defence (KAM) consists of the acting Minister of National Defence, Vladislav Kondratovič, Vice Ministers Karolis Aleksa, Tomas Godliauskas, and Orijana Mašalė, Chancellor of the Ministry Dainius Ivoškis, and the Director of Defence Policy Vaidotas Urbelis. Together, they oversee the operations, policies, and strategic direction of Lithuania's defence and security efforts.

Ministers

The Honorable Prime Minister of Lithuania The Minister of National Defence () is a member of the executive branch of the Government of Lithuania. The minister is responsible for overseeing the country's defence policies, military readiness, and national security strategies. The Minister leads the ministry in ensuring the protection of Lithuania's sovereignty, coordinating defence cooperation with international allies, and managing the country's defence resources and forces. The role also involves shaping defence-related legislation and fostering strategic initiatives to address evolving security challenges. The acting incumbent is Vladislav Kondratovič, who has been serving as in that capicity since 22 October 2025.

References

References

1. "XIV-2297 Lietuvos Respublikos 2024 metų valstybės biudžeto ir savivaldybių biudžetų finansinių rodiklių pa".
2. "Functions of National Defence Ministry". Lithuanian Ministry of Defense.
3. (11 November 2017). "Kaip gimė pirmoji Lietuvos Vyriausybė".
4. "Valstybės atkūrimas ir tarpukario kariuomenė".
5. "1940–1941 m. – sovietų okupacija ir aneksija – Lietuvos okupacija (1940 m. birželio 15 d.)".
6. (24 April 2025). "National Defence of Lithuania hits 35: the Ministry of National Defence celebrates with public". Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence.
7. (26 July 2022). "Trys krašto apsaugos sistemos įstaigos persikėlė į naujas patalpas".
8. Skėrytė, Jūratė. (22 November 2023). "Lithuania's defence system to have drone capabilities in 2024 – committee chair".
9. Andrašiūtė, Skirmantė. (5 May 2023). "Significant step forward: Lithuanian companies will be able to conduct testing together with the Lithuanian Armed Forces".
10. (9 October 2023). "Gynybos resursų agentūra prie Krašto apsaugos ministerijos".
11. Satkauskaitė, Miglė. (29 November 2022). "Gynybos resursų agentūra įvertinta už efektyvius viešuosius pirkimus".
12. (29 November 2022). "Gynybos resursų agentūra įvertinta už efektyvius viešuosius pirkimus".