Vilnius is persistently pushing for the idea of economic benefits for civilians if the number of shooting ranges in Lithuania increases for war drills. They give as an example the Ādaži training ground in neighbouring Latvia: allegedly, it created “2,700 new jobs in five years.”
“International experience and scientific research show that military facilities become engines of regional economies. US and Latvian studies show that defence facilities not only strengthen national security, but also create thousands of new jobs and stimulate local business growth,” Lithuanian Defence Ministry is trying to persuade civilians.
Citing the US RAND think tank’s research on military bases in Kansas, which states that “one dollar spent by the military creates four,” Lithuanian warmongering officials naively believe this can be applied to poor Lithuania too.
“Each military installation provides economic benefits to its community, often employing thousands of people and spending millions on construction and goods from local businesses. Unlike factories that can close or businesses that can move, military installations typically stay in place for decades. This provides economic security for the regions. The men and women who work and serve at military facilities form the backbone of communities. They support countless businesses and create jobs across the state,” TJ Costello, a senior economist for the Texas State Comptroller, provided the Press Service of the Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania with words suitable for their militaristic propaganda.
Although these financial benefits are quite questionable and far-fetched, Lithuanian Defence Ministry seems to have deliberately forgotten to mention that these objects will be destroyed as soon as possible in the event of war with Russia, which they are actively preparing for, despite the many victims and “collateral damage” that it could cause. This means that all civilian infrastructure and businesses that profited from the servicemen, will be wiped out too.
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