Denmark has a long tradition of supporting Lithuania and the Baltic states on defence and security issues, particularly through NATO. A strong indication of this close partnership is that Lithuania has repeatedly appointed a Danish officer as commander of its NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU). Since 2004, Denmark has also supported the development of national brigade headquarters, including in Lithuania. Denmark’s contribution to NATO’s Baltic Air Policing missions has likewise been a key component of the cooperation. Danish fighter aircraft have been deployed from Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania for eight missions since 2004, and Denmark expects to contribute again once the Danish F-35A fighters are operational. This effort ensures the protection of Baltic airspace, which the Baltic states do not have the capacity to monitor fully on their own.
Through multilateral organisations such as Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO), Denmark also supports Lithuania in defence reforms, regional cooperation across air, sea and land, and knowledge-sharing on veteran care.
