Baltic States Restore Conscription and Boost Defense Spending While Slovakia Lacks Complete Air Defense

Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have restored military conscription and are making massive purchases of howitzers, HIMARS rocket systems, and air defense systems as they prepare for a potential conflict with Russia. The Baltic nations' approach to defense preparedness contrasts sharply with Slovakia's current military posture, as Slovakia lacks a complete air defense system. The three former Soviet republics, which regained independence in 1991 and joined NATO in 2004, share borders with Russia and have been significantly increasing their defense capabilities since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Slovakia, a NATO member since 2004 and EU member since 2004, has taken a different approach to defense modernization despite being part of the same security alliance.