Lithuania Has Agreed To Implement Universal Conscription For Young Men

29.10.2026, 17:26

Starting in 2032.

Lithuania's State Defense Council, which includes top government officials and leaders of the national defense system, decided on Thursday to introduce universal conscription into the armed forces starting in 2032, according to LRT.

According to President Gitanas Nausėda, the year 2032 was chosen for the implementation of these changes so that, by that time, funds could be invested in properly accommodating a larger number of conscripts and training instructors.

“We have decided that universal conscription will be introduced starting in 2032,” Nausėda stated after the council meeting.

According to him, women will still be able to serve in the military on a voluntary basis.

Currently, more than 5,000 young men are drafted into the armed forces each year.

According to Nausėda, if universal conscription is introduced—taking into account the demographic situation and the fact that some young people are unfit for service due to health reasons—approximately 7,500 young people will be drafted annually.

He added that it is also necessary to balance conscripts’ military service with the retraining of reserve personnel so that both processes are carried out to a high standard.

“It seems to me that this (the introduction of conscription starting in 2032. – Ed.) is the optimal approach,” the head of state noted.

He also noted that the National Defense Council had agreed to expand the range of service options, for example, by allowing conscripts to train as drone operators, assist the State Border Guard Service, or serve as firefighters.

Partial conscription was reinstated in Lithuania in 2015 in response to increased threats following Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

PATREON Support the website

Write your comment 2