📋 Tender Overview
Minister Of National Defense Robertas Kaunas, Commander Of The Lithuanian Armed Forces Gen. Raimundas Vaiksnoras, Director Of The State Protected Territories Service Agne Jasinaviciute-Trakimiene, Representatives Of The Ministry Of Environment And Other Institutions Met With The Residents Of Jurbarkas District To Discuss The Proposed Expansion Of The Taurage Polygon. During The Meeting, Residents Questions About The Conditions For Improving Local Roads And Infrastructure, Regulation Of The Abundance Of Animals And Other Relevant Issues Were Answered. During The Discussion, Part Of The Population Noted That They Are Ready To Bear The Inconvenience For The Sake Of The StateS Security. A Strong Army Is A Necessary Condition For A Safe And Resilient State. The Threats Posed By Russia Force Lithuania To Rapidly Strengthen Its Defense Capabilities, And The Expansion Of The Taurage Range Is Vital In Order To Create Suitable Conditions For The Lithuanian Army To Train And Develop A National Division By 2030. We Understand That Such A Decision Raises Questions For Local Communities. We Are Glad That The Meeting With The Residents Took Place Constructively - We Heard The CommunityS Opinion And Responded To The Arising Questions. Dialogue With Communities Is A Priority For Us, Said Minister Of National Defense R. Kaunas. Taurage Polygon Is Planned To Be Expanded By 2710 Ha - Only In The Territory Of Jurbarkas District. In The Taurage District, The Boundaries Of The Polygon Would Remain Unchanged. The Total Territory Of The Landfill Would Reach 6398 Ha. The Development Area Includes 1 Reserve, 1 Reserve Buffer Zone And 1 Object Of Cultural Value. There Are No Private Plots Of Land Or Residents In The Territory. The Strengthening Of The Lithuanian Army Is Directly Related To The Conditions For Training. The Meeting With The Community Of Jurbarkas District Showed That The Local Residents Understand The Security Challenges, And Our Task At The Same Time Is To Limit The Normal Life Of The Residents As Little As Possible While Maintaining A High Level Of Combat Readiness, Said The Commander Of The Lithuanian Army, Gen. R. Vaiksnoras. The Purpose Of The Landfill Will Not Change - It Is Established By Law. The Maneuvering And Tactical Movement Exercises Of Military Equipment Of The Lithuanian Army Will Take Place Here. Military Equipment And Weapons Will Only Be Used With Simulated Means. There Will Be No Shooting Ranges On The Territory Of The Shooting Range, No Combat Shooting Will Take Place. Residents Will Be Informed In Advance About The Exercises - Schedules Will Be Published And Information Stands Will Be Installed. When The Exercises Do Not Take Place, The Territory Will Be Available To Residents: It Will Be Possible To Visit, Pick Mushrooms, And Pick Berries. Regulation Of The Animal Population Is Not Prohibited - It Will Take Place According To The Schedule Set By The Military Commander Of The Range. Decisions Will Be Made Only After Discussions With The Municipality, Further Continuing Discussions With Local Residents. The Seimas Will Take The Final Decision On The Expansion Of Taurage Polygon In The Spring Of 2026. Environmental Protection - A Priority Military Training Grounds Are Subject To The Same European Union And Lithuanian Environmental Protection Requirements As In Civilian Areas. Together With Nato Allies, Lithuania Applies Strict Environmental Protection Measures. There Would Be No Clear Cutting Of The Forest In The Landfill. After Expanding The Training Ground, The Lithuanian Army Undertakes To Clean Up The Pesticide-Contaminated Area In Jurbarkas District. Regulation Of The Animal Population (Hunting) Will Be Allowed After Coordination With The Head Of The Range. Benefits For Municipalities And Residents The Government Plans To Provide Maximum Assistance To Municipalities With Landfills. A Direct Portion Of The Defense Budget Proportional To The Size Of The Military Territories Will Be Allocated Annually. It Is Planned To Allocate 0.3-0.5 Percent To Social And Engineering Infrastructure. From The Percentage Of Gdp Allocated To Defense. Up To 5 Million Will Be Allocated From The Ministry Of FinanceS Budget For Road Repair And Communication With The Polygon Territories. Euros Per Year. Strengthening Of The Healthcare Sector And Attracting Investments Are Also Expected. Until 2030, It Is Planned To Allocate 25 Million Annually To Municipalities With Landfills. Eur For The Civil Protection Strengthening Program, Including The Protection Of Critical Infrastructure. Up To 5 Million Will Be Allocated To Strengthen The Functions Of Mobilization Officers. Euros. At Least 150,000 People Are Expected For Civil Resistance Training. 1.3 Million Euros, And For The Young Shooters Clubs And The Citizenship And Defense Skills Course In Schools - No Less Than 1.3 Million. Euros. In The Municipalities With Polygons, Universal Defense Centers Will Be Established And Cyber Security Will Be Strengthened.
