Lithuania sees stockpile building as key deterrent

LONDON — Lithuania is determined to make stockpile building a critical component of its defense policy, according to a government official.

“Stockpiles serve as a deterrent against potential aggression,” Lithuanian Deputy Economy and Innovation Minister Erika Kuročkina said in a broadcast speech during this year’s DSEI show here.

“Ammunition is the lifeblood of any military operation,” the cabinet member said. “But a nation with a robust stockpile can also support its allies.”

On Sept. 8, the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence said it has completed a delivery of more than 1.5 million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine to support its combat against the ongoing Russian invasion.

The official’s declaration comes roughly four months after Vilnius announced plans to spend about €3.1 billion ($3.3 billion) on purchases of ammunition and explosives in the coming decade, citing lessons drawn from Russia’s ongoing attack against its neighbor.

Kuročkina’s remarks indicate major deliveries of munitions could represent a significant share of the Baltic State’s defense acquisitions in the coming years.

Jaroslaw Adamowski is the Poland correspondent for Defense News.

伦敦——据一位政府官员称，立陶宛决心将储备物资建设作为其国防政策的关键组成部分。

“储备可以起到威慑潜在侵略的作用，”立陶宛经济与创新部副部长埃里卡·库罗奇金娜在今年的DSEI防务展上发表讲话时表示。

这位内阁成员表示：“弹药是任何军事行动的命脉。但一个拥有充足弹药储备的国家也能更好地支持其盟友。”

9月8日，立陶宛国防部表示，已完成向乌克兰交付超过150万发弹药，以支持其对抗俄罗斯持续入侵的战斗。

这位官员发表声明大约四个月前，维尔纽斯宣布计划在未来十年花费约 31 亿欧元（33 亿美元）购买弹药和爆炸物，理由是吸取了俄罗斯持续攻击其邻国的教训。

库罗奇金娜的言论表明，未来几年，大量军火交付可能占波罗的海国家国防采购的很大一部分。

Jaroslaw Adamowski 是《防务新闻》驻波兰记者。