The Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania () is the government institution of Lithuania responsible for the organization of national defence. It was originally established in 1918 upon the independence of Lithuania and reestablished following the end of Soviet rule in 1991.
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 The Defence Materiel Agency () is an institution under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of National Defence, and it is responsible for defence procurement and strategies.
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 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 incumbent is Robertas Kaunas, who has been serving as in that capicity since 11 November 2025.
Term Minister Party Cabinet Office Start date End date Time in office 1 Audrius Butkevičius (born 1960) Independent Vagnorius 13 January 1991 21 July 1992 2 Audrius Butkevičius (born 1960) Independent Abišala 21 July 1992 17 December 1992 3 Audrius Butkevičius (born 1960) Independent Lubys 17 December 1992 31 March 1993 4 Audrius Butkevičius (born 1960) Independent Šleževičius 31 March 1993 28 October 1993 5 Linas Antanas Linkevičius (born 1961) Democratic Labour Party 28 October 1993 19 March 1996 6 Linas Antanas Linkevičius (born 1961) Democratic Labour Party Stankevičius 19 March 1996 10 December 1996 7 Česlovas Vytautas Stankevičius (born 1937) Homeland Union Vagnorius 10 December 1996 10 June 1999 8 Česlovas Vytautas Stankevičius (born 1937) Homeland Union Paksas 10 June 1999 11 November 1999 9 Česlovas Vytautas Stankevičius (born 1937) Homeland Union Kubilius 11 November 1999 9 November 2000 10 Linas Antanas Linkevičius (born 1961) Social Democratic Party Paksas 9 November 2000 12 July 2001 11 Linas Antanas Linkevičius (born 1961) Social Democratic Party Brazauskas 12 July 2001 14 December 2004 12 Gediminas Kirkilas (1951–2024) Social Democratic Party Brazauskas 14 December 2004 18 July 2006 13 Juozas Olekas (born 1955) Social Democratic Party Kirkilas 18 July 2006 9 December 2008 14 Rasa Juknevičienė (born 1958) Homeland Union Kubilius 9 December 2008 13 December 2012 15 Juozas Olekas (born 1955) Social Democratic Party Butkevičius 13 December 2012 13 December 2016 16 Raimundas Karoblis (born 1968) Independent Skvernelis 13 December 2016 11 December 2020 17 Arvydas Anušauskas (born 1963) Homeland Union Šimonytė 11 December 2020 13 March 2024 18 Laurynas Kasčiūnas (born 1982) Homeland Union Šimonytė 13 March 2024 13 December 2024 19 Dovilė Šakalienė (born 1978) Social Democratic Party of Lithuania Paluckas 13 December 2024 22 October 2025 20 Robertas Kaunas (born 1985) Social Democratic Party of Lithuania Ruginienė 11 November 2025 Incumbent
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