Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaite signed the amendments of state and municipalities budgets on increased defense spending for the year 2014 in Vilnius on Monday.

By signing the amendments, Grybauskaite approved additional 130 million litas (about 52 million U.S. dollars) for national security.

“Lithuania’s obligation to increase spending on security turns into real steps,” said Grybauskaite in a statement. “New challenges and threats to our country are obvious, and we must increase Lithuania’s defense capacities without any delay. . . .”

According to Juozas Olekas, minister of national defense of Lithuania, the additional funds will be directed to purchase portable air-defense systems GROM, anti-tank rocket launching systems and invest in training facilities.

Image: President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite, May 30, 2014 (photo: NATO)