Head of the Ministry of National Defence: we are interested in preparing and using a training ground on the territory of Lithuania

The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, after a meeting with the Lithuanian Minister of Defence Robertas Kaunas, reported that Poland supports the initiative to build a training ground close to the border with Poland. He added that Polish commanders are interested in preparing this place and later using it for exercises.

In December, the Lithuanian State Defence Council decided to build a training ground in the town of Kopciowo in the Lazdijai region, near the border with Poland. According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence, from a military and security point of view, the area selected for the new training ground is the most suitable location; it is part of the so-called Suwałki Gap. The ministry also pointed out that the geographical location at the border with Poland opens up the possibility of future cooperation with the Polish armed forces. The final decision on the training ground will be taken by the Lithuanian Seimas.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said at a press conference on Friday, after meeting with Kaunas, that one of the topics of the conversation was the possibility of Polish troops training at this training ground. He also stated that if there is such a need, our engineering troops will join the construction of this training ground. He assured that Polish commanders are interested in preparing this place and later using it for joint exercises. He also added that joint exercises of Polish and Lithuanian troops are planned for this year.

In the Deputy Prime Minister’s opinion, this is an important initiative, because this is an area being prepared for exercises not only for the Lithuanian army, but also for allied forces. He emphasized that Poland supports the initiative to build a training space for an allied army.

“I also wanted to reassure those on the Polish side who are asking questions, the residents of the border zone. This investment does not concern the territory of the Republic of Poland, it concerns the territory of the Republic of Lithuania. (…) The Lithuanian side will make every effort to ensure that this investment is carried out as safely as possible,” assured the Minister of National Defence.

Robertas Kaunas emphasized that the activities of the training ground will be transparent and democratic. “We will constantly share up-to-date information with the Polish Minister of Defence. Any precise information can be provided so that there are no threats and no concerns,” assured the Lithuanian minister.

He expressed satisfaction that Kosiniak-Kamysz wants to cooperate with his ministry in the construction of the training ground in Kopciowo. “This is our regional goal, it concerns not only Lithuania, but also the security of Latvia and Estonia,” emphasized Kaunas. This training ground, he noted, is intended to increase the defence of the so-called Suwałki Corridor, a narrow strip of land 104 km long between Poland and Lithuania, which is considered one of the potentially most volatile points in Europe.

Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that he also discussed with the Lithuanian minister plans for joint purchases under the EU SAFE programme. “We want to make joint use of the SAFE instrument and make joint purchases. One topic that interests us both as manufacturers and as users is the Piorun systems,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

He also added that Poland intends, together with Lithuania, to seek to ensure that the European Commission not only grants member states loans for security needs, but that these are also “subsidies, grants, interest-free funds that do not have to be repaid.”

Kosiniak-Kamysz added that the conversation also touched on the issue of expanding the East Shield, and the matter of the Baltic Defence Line, which are in effect a single programme included in the European Union strategy and jointly implemented. “We will facilitate military mobility, projects concerning infrastructure that will facilitate military mobility between our countries,” said the Minister of National Defence.

Piorun is a Polish-made man-portable air-defence missile system (MANPADS), designed to combat low-flying aerial targets, aircraft, helicopters and drones. Among others, Norwegians, Latvians and Ukrainians have Piorun in their arsenals.

The East Shield is a programme prepared by the Ministry of National Defence and the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, providing for the construction of various types of fortifications, terrain obstacles and military infrastructure on Poland’s borders with Russia and Belarus – in total along a section of about 800 km.

The Baltic Defence Line project is a joint interstate project of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, aimed at strengthening the eastern flank, including protection against incursions from Russia and Belarus. The Baltic Line is to be connected in the future with the Polish “East Shield”.

SAFE is a programme aimed at strengthening the defence capabilities of the member states of the European Union. It provides for a total of 150 billion euros of support – among other things in the form of low-interest loans – primarily for the purchase of military equipment, especially that produced in Europe. (16.01.2026)