Major General Valdemaras Rupšys says he will consistently continue the ongoing modernization of the Lithuanian Armed Forces if appointed the country's next chief of defence.
"I am sure that we can no longer make revolutions [and] cardinal changes in the armed forces. There must be consistent work, a consistent development of the armed forces," Rupšys told the parliament on Tuesday.
"We must develop the capabilities of the Lithuanian Armed Forces in a consistent manner and fulfill our international obligations," he added.
The Seimas is expected to vote on his appointment on Thursday.
In the run-up to the vote, the 52-year-old general, who now commands the Lithuanian Land Force, will meet with the parliament's political groups and his candidature will be discussed by committees.
Rupšys has in the past commanded a battalion of the Armed Forces and the Iron Wolf mechanized infantry brigade, and was the director of the Personnel Department at the Defence Ministry.
He was appointed commander of the Lithuanian Land Force in 2016 and received the rank of brigadier general two years later.
Rupšys graduated from the General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, the Estonia-based Baltic Defence College, and the US Army War College.
He has been recently nominated by President Gitanas Nauseda to replace Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas, the outgoing chief of defence.
Under the Lithuanian Constitution, the chief of defence is appointed for a five-year term and dismissed by the president, subject to the parliament's approval.
