The security of the Baltic countries is our collective responsibility
Joint celebration on the Day of the Lithuanian Armed Forces
Text: Captain Róbert Tóth | Photo: Captain Kristina Jonkiene | 13:10 November 25, 2025The city of Siauliai commemorated the Day of the Lithuanian Armed Forces within the framework of a military ceremony held on 23 November. The day is one of the most important national military events in the Baltic country, and its historic significance goes back to 23 November 1918, when the newly independent Lithuania established its own armed forces. Since then, this day has been a symbol of the respect for Lithuanian statehood, freedom and the military vocation.
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This year’s highlighted moment was the Hungarian and Spanish airmen’s participation in the ceremony, who serve with NATO’s Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission. Working in close cooperation, the personnel of the Hungarian and the Spanish detachments have been safeguarding the airspace of Baltic countries for months, which is one of the most important collective defence tasks of the Alliance. On the occasion of the notable day, several Hungarian and Spanish soldiers received recognitions for the professional performance of their duties during the joint service, and for strengthening allied cooperation.
The most spectacular moment of the ceremony was a salute flight of Hungarian and Spanish fighter jets intended to make the event memorable. The joint flypast was not only a spectacular military honor but also a symbolic message: the security of the Baltic countries is our collective responsibility, in which the allied nations rely on one another.
The Day of the Lithuanian Armed Forces was at once a commemoration of the past and a celebration of the strong allied cooperation in the present. The participation of Hungarian airmen serving in Siauliai has once again demonstrated that Hungary is committed to support the maintenance of collective European and NATO-wide security.
