Lack of Military Conscription Poses Threat to EU Defense Readiness - Lithuanian Colonel

In an interview with Ukrinform, Colonel Linas Idzelis, the Commander of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union, voiced his deep concerns regarding the inadequate defense readiness of Europe, attributing it to the lack of military conscription. He underscored that to ensure the security of the continent, there is a pressing need to significantly ramp up the production of weapons and bolster human reserves.

"Europe needs to produce far more weapons. It requires much larger human reserves. In the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia has likely already lost three entire armies, and Ukrainian losses are also substantial. Meanwhile, across Europe, there is virtually no conscription for military service," Colonel Idzelis emphasized.

According to him, the absence of reserves for a second or third wave of repelling enemy attacks poses a serious threat. He also pointed out that some countries, such as Finland, are better prepared for potential conflicts, indicating the necessity for a reevaluation of defense policies across Europe.

Colonel Idzelis believes that Ukraine serves as a vivid example of a successful revival of its defense industry. "While Russia is trying to enhance two directions of drone production – 'Geran' and 'Molniya' – Ukraine is already producing a vast array of drones. I do not know of any other state that produces as many different types of weapons as Ukraine. If we are preparing for war with the Russians, the future of European defense lies in integrating the Ukrainian defense industry and Ukrainian military into the overall structure," he highlighted.

The Lithuanian colonel noted that Lithuania is attempting to borrow from Ukraine's defense experience. "In the European air defense system, there is indeed a need for many improvements, and we are once again returning to the necessity of developing the defense industry. Governments need to engage with representatives of the defense industry. We cannot shoot down drones costing 20,000 euros with missiles that cost up to 3 million. That would deplete our stocks too quickly, and we have no place to buy new missiles. And I am only talking about the first wave of defense, not to mention the second or third," Idzelis stressed.

He also pointed out that even if sufficient reservists are gathered for the second wave of defense in European countries, "they still need to be properly equipped, not according to World War II standards, that is, with rifles and helmets." The colonel emphasized that in the context of modern conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, it is crucial to have modern solutions for ensuring security.

"It is now 2026, and we need different solutions. Stocks of older weapons may have helped Ukraine at the beginning, but for a small country like ours, if we do not have a more modern army and if we cannot fight smartly, it will mean the loss of all territory," Idzelis believes.

These remarks by Colonel Idzelis resonate against the backdrop of calls from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has stressed the need for Europe to have the full capability to produce all types of air defense systems and the missiles that accompany them. Zelensky urged partners to accelerate efforts to create their own defense industry base, which is a crucial step in strengthening the region's defense capabilities.

Thus, the opinions expressed by the Lithuanian colonel highlight the urgency of the issue of defense readiness in Europe amid modern challenges, particularly the aggression from Russia. It is essential for European countries to unite their efforts to ensure their security and stability in the region.