Lithuania’s total defence model tested in a national exercise

More than 30 representatives of state institutions, the armed forces, local government, businesses, non-governmental organisations, academia and civil society participated in a two-day exercise testing Lithuania’s total defence model. Organised by the Total Defence Association and the US-based New Generation Warfare Center, the exercise marked the second stage in the development of Lithuania’s total defence model and its implementation plan.

“Lithuania is a country on NATO’s eastern flank, so its total defence model must rank among the best in the world. This is precisely the kind of model now being developed for Lithuania in cooperation with international experts. The exercise tested its initial version to identify its strengths and areas for improvement,” said Tomas Godliauskas, Head of the Total Defence Association.

Model tested under peacetime, mobilisation and wartime conditions

The exercise scenario was divided into three progressively intensifying stages. The first tested Lithuania’s preparedness during peacetime, assessing whether the existing plans, legal powers, cooperation networks, funding and level of public preparedness were sufficient.

During the second stage, the scenario moved into the so-called grey zone. Participants had to assess how the country would function under conditions of economic pressure, disinformation, cyberattacks, sabotage, pressure on border regions and legal uncertainty.

The third stage simulated mobilisation and wartime conditions in which critical infrastructure came under strain, allied reinforcements were delayed, and the interdependence of civilian and military structures became decisive.

“The central question was whether the plans of institutions, organisations and municipalities come together as an effective whole. Is it clear who makes each decision, who has the necessary resources, how information reaches other participants in the system, and what a business, municipality, organisation or citizen must do at any given moment?” Godliauskas noted.

Preparedness of the state, local government, organisations and society assessed

Participants were divided into three groups, each responding to the same threat scenario from a different perspective.

The national-level group included representatives of the Government, the Office of the President, the Seimas, the Ministries of National Defence and Transport and Communications, and the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

The local government and organisations group included representatives of the Vilnius, Kaunas and Ukmergė municipalities, the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, Telia, the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, the Lithuanian Red Cross, rural communities and the armed forces.

The civil society group included representatives of academia, the media, culture, the defence industry, cybersecurity, the Lithuanian diaspora, scouts and other civil society organisations.

This format allowed the same problem to be examined simultaneously at the national, organisational and societal levels. It also helped assess where decisions should be made and who should be responsible for implementing them.

Final total defence model to be presented by the end of the year

Analysts will continue to examine the exercise results. Their findings will be used to refine the total defence model and prepare its implementation plan, including responsibilities, implementation stages, recommendations for the necessary legislative amendments, and funding requirements.

The exercise completed the second stage of the development of Lithuania’s total defence model led by the Association. During the first stage, in June 2026, the experience of ten countries was analysed, leading practices were identified, and an initial draft model for Lithuania was prepared. The third stage, scheduled for October and November 2026, will finalise the model and prepare and present its implementation plan.