Soon after restoration of independence , Lithuania applied for NATO membership in January 1994 . Together with another six Central and Eastern European countries , Lithuania was invited to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the 2002 Prague summit and became a member of the Alliance in March 2004 . Lithuania entered NATO on full-fledged rights immediately after the procedures of joining the North Atlantic Treaty were completed and acquired rights to participate in the political decision-making process of the Alliance . Integration into the military structures of NATO became a long-term task of Lithuanian Armed Forces . Mechanised Infantry Brigade " Iron Wolf " was affiliated to the Danish Division on the basis of agreements signed by Denmark and Lithuania in August 2006 . Lithuanian Armed Forces started to boost ability of the Brigade to cooperate with the forces of other NATO members . As Lithuania and the other Baltic states do not have capabilities to secure their airspace , fighter jets of NATO members were deployed in Zokniai airport near the city Šiauliai to provide cover for the Baltic states airspace as soon as Lithuania acquired membership in the Alliance
2002 Prague summit
2002 Prague summit
Lithuanian Armed Forces