BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 8. In a significant
step to bolster European security, the European Investment Bank
(EIB) has approved a 300 million euros loan to the Government of
Lithuania to finance investments in military infrastructure,
Trend reports.
The loan represents a major milestone in reinforcing the
European Union’s eastern border, where Lithuania plays a crucial
role in NATO’s collective defense and rapid-response
capabilities.
The financing will help Lithuania enhance its defense readiness
through targeted investments in several key areas. These include
harbor boats for piloting and towing, medical transport and
equipment, and new infrastructure for residential, administrative,
training, transport, and logistics purposes. The upgrades will
directly support the Lithuanian Armed Forces and help the country
meet its commitments to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO).
This operation is part of a wider 500 million euros investment
package approved by the EIB to strengthen Lithuania’s defense
infrastructure. It complements a 540 million euros loan granted
earlier this year for the development of the NATO military base in
Rūdninkai, bringing the EIB Group’s total support for Lithuania’s
defense investments to over 1 billion euros in 2025.
“Within just a year, the EIB has provided over one billion euros
in support for Lithuania’s defense investments. These investments
are vital for strengthening our national defense and contributing
to Europe’s collective security. We value this partnership with the
European Investment Bank, which has demonstrated its ability to
respond quickly and effectively to the needs of member states,”
said Kristupas Vaitiekūnas, Lithuania’s Minister of Finance.
The EIB loan, which carries a 25-year maturity, will co-finance
Lithuania’s 2024–2030 defense investment plan.
“This agreement reflects the EIB’s evolving role in supporting
EU member states on the eastern border. Lithuania has shown
leadership in strengthening Europe’s collective security and
resilience. We are proud to support its efforts to invest in
defense infrastructure that benefits both national and European
stability,” said EIB Vice-President Karl Nehammer, who oversees
operations in Lithuania.
The EIB Group is on track to more than triple its investments in
security and defense this year to an all-time high, committing over
3.5 percent of its annual lending to projects that enhance Europe’s
deterrence capabilities. Earlier this year, the Bank expanded its
mandate to include investments dedicated solely to military uses,
signaling a significant strategic shift.
The Group currently manages a pipeline of around 30 flagship
defense and security projects across the EU, focusing on key
priorities such as border and critical infrastructure protection,
military mobility, industrial capacity strengthening, and
innovation in strategic technologies. It is also facilitating
access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises within the
security and defense supply chain and investing in dedicated
venture capital funds that support Europe’s growing defense
technology ecosystem.
