Lithuania plans to call up the prepared reserve troops of up to the age of 60 for training amid a deteriorating regional security situation.
Lithuanian lawmakers gave their initial backing to such an amendment at the end of the Seimas’ fall session. The amendments will now be considered by parliamentary committees.
According to Laurynas Kasčiūnas, chair of the Seimas Committee on National Security and Defence (NSGK), who initiated the amendment, there are some 38,000 active and about 80,000 prepared reserve troops in Lithuania.
“These are people who served before the active reserve, that is, more than ten years ago. After ten years, they are no longer called up for additional military training. But under the concept we are putting together, [...] these people could find their place within the defence plans,” he said.
In his words, prepared reserve troops should be trained to work at the commandant’s offices in the event of martial law.
“The commandant’s offices are the backup system, fighting against diversion groups and protecting the facilities. We can see this function very clearly in Ukraine, and it has proved effective,” Kasčiūnas explained.
According to him, under the existing law, members of the prepared reserve cannot be invited to take part in military exercises. It is therefore proposed to establish that members of the prepared reserve up to the age of 60 would partake in exercises or training in accordance with the procedure established by the defence minister.
The prepared reserve troops called up for exercises would be provided with clothing, food, and accommodation, would be paid for the training days, and would be provided with social guarantees.
The amendments are proposed to enter into force on July 1, 2024.
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