Military of Lithuania

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Military of Lithuania
Military Manpower
Military age	18 years of age
Availability	Males age 15-49: 925,551 (2000 est.)
Fit for military service	Males age 15-49: 727,609 (2000 est.)
Reaching military age annually	Males: 27,259 (2000 est.)
Active troops
Military Expenditures
Amount	$181 million (FY99)
Percent of GDP	1.5% (FY99)

The Lithuanian Armed Forces consist of 16000 personnel in uniform.

Lithuania's defence system is based on the concept of "total and unconditional defence" mandated by Lithuania's national security strategy. The goal of Lithuania's defence policy is to prepare their society for general defence and to integrate Lithuania into Western security and defence structures. The defence ministry is responsible for combat forces, search/rescue, and intelligence operations. There is a mandatory 1-year conscription, with alternative service available for conscientious objectors.

The 5,400 border guards fall under the Interior Ministry's supervision and are responsible for border protection, passport and customs duties, and share responsibility with the navy for smuggling/drug trafficking interdiction. A special security department handles VIP protection and communications security.

Lithuania cooperates with Estonia and Latvia in the joint infantry battalion BALTBAT and naval squadron BALTRON as well as with Poland in the LITPOLBAT, all of which are available for peacekeeping operations.

German F-4 Phantom NATO fighter jet

NATO fighter aircraft are involved in the patrolling and protection of Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian air space (Baltic Air Policing). No threat is perceived, however the NATO treaty requires air defence patrols of partner countries' airspace. Each contributing nation deploys (usually four) aircraft for a period of four months to the former Soviet air base Siauliai. Air force detachments from Belgium, Denmark, United Kingdom, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, the United States and Poland have undertaken the mission. Turkey is the current NATO member participating.

The Lithuanian Armed Forces consist of Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defence Force, Security Forces (internal and border troops), and Voluntary National Defence Forces (KASP).

1 Organisation
2 Flag Officers (OF 10 - 6) and Officers (5 - 1)
3 Lithuanian Army
4 Lithuanian Navy
5 Lithuanian Air Force
6 External link

[edit] Organisation

Lithuanian Army
Lithuanian Navy
Lithuanian Air Force

[edit] Flag Officers (OF 10 - 6) and Officers (5 - 1)

NATO Code	OF-10	OF-9	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1		OF-D-	Student Officer
Lithuania (Edit)	*No Equivalent*	*No Equivalent*										*No Equivalent*
Lithuania (Edit)	*No Equivalent*	*No Equivalent*	Generolas leitenantas	Generolas majoras	Brigados generolas	Pulkininkas	Pulkininkas leitenantas	Majoras	Kapitonas	Vyresnysis leitenantas	Leitenantas	*No Equivalent*	Kariūnas

[edit] Lithuanian Army

Structure of the Lithuanian Army

The Army has 5800 personnel. The core of the Lithuanian force structure is the Geležinis Vilkas ('Iron Wolf' Mechanised Infantry Brigade - fully operational in 2005) consisting of two mechanised battalions, one motorised battalion, one artillery battalion, logistics and support battalions. An additional three battalions are located in the western military district. The National Volunteer Defense Forces consist of one battalion-sized unit in each of Lithuania's 10 districts.

Since the summer of 2005 Lithuania has been part of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF), leading a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in the town of Chaghcharan in the province of Ghor. Currently, there are 190 soldiers stationed in Ghor. The PRT includes personnel from Denmark, Iceland and USA.

Currently is part of the Multinational force in Iraq, Lithuania also has 50 soldiers that is under Danish command.

Equipment:

Vehicles:

AntiTank guns:

Anti Aircraft:

[edit] Lithuanian Navy

Naval ensign (Ratio 1:2)

The Navy has 700 personnel. The Navy structure consists of naval headquarters, Sea Coastal Surveillance System (SCSS), mine coutermeasures, frigates, patrol ships and small boat squadrons. The current Commander in Chief of the Lithuanian Navy is Rear Admiral (l.h.) Kęstutis Macijauskas. The main Naval base and headquarters are located in the city of Klaipėda. The Navy uses patrol boats and former Russian corvettes for coastal surveillance. The vessels are organized into a Combat Ship Squadron (F) and a Patrol Boat Squadron (P). One command ship (A) is part of each squadron.

F11 "Žemaitis" - Grisha-3 class corvette
F12 "Aukštaitis" - Grisha-3 class corvette
M51 "Kuršis" - Type 331 Fulda class mine hunter
M52 "Sūduvis" - Type 331 Fulda class mine hunter
P31 "Dzūkas" - Storm class Fast Patrol boats
P32 "Sėlis" - Storm class Fast Patrol boats
P33 "Skalvis" - Storm class Fast Patrol boats
N42 "Jotvingis" - Command and Support Ship
A41 "Vėtra" - Auxiliary Ship - Uryvayev class from Russia

[edit] Lithuanian Air Force

The Air Force has 1000 personnel and operates 18 planes and 9 helicopters, including a fighter squardon, 6 L-39ZA armed trainers, a transport squadron the consists of 3 AN-26 , 2 L-410, and 6 AN-2 and 9 helicopters Mi-8. The military command center is in Šiauliai (Zokniai Airport).

Due to NATO advice, there are no plans to acquire fighter jets. The patrolling of Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian air space will done by jet fighters from other NATO members, which are based out of the Šiauliai air base . Lithuania ordered 3 C-27J transport planes. The first plane was delivered in December 2006. The next two are for 2008 and 2009.