Military of Lithuania
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| Military of Lithuania |
|
|---|---|
| Military age | 18 |
| Conscription | 19 |
| Available for military service |
1,105,900, age 15–49 (2000 est.) |
| Fit for military service |
970,609, age 15–49 (2000 est.) |
| Reaching military age annually |
27,259 (2000 est.) |
| Active personnel | 17,000 |
| Expenditures | |
| Budget | $621 million (FY2007) |
| Percent of GDP | 2.0% (FY2007) |
The Lithuanian Armed Forces consist of 17000 personnel in uniform and are supported by 309200 reserve force
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.
In case of war, Lithuania has a mobilization reserve of 16-45 age males NATO fighter aircraft are involved in the patrolling and protection of Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian air space (see 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 air base Siauliai.
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).
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[edit] Organisation
[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 | |
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 Lithuania (Edit) |
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| Generolas leitenantas | Generolas majoras | Brigados generolas | Pulkininkas | Pulkininkas leitenantas | Majoras | Kapitonas | Vyresnysis leitenantas | Leitenantas | Kariūnas | ||||
[edit] Lithuanian Army
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The core of the Lithuanian force structure is the Geležinis Vilkas ('Iron Wolf' Mechanised Infantry Brigade - fully operational in 2005) consisting of four Mechanized Infantry battalions, one artillery battalion and logistics and support units. 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 130 soldiers stationed in Ghor. The PRT includes personnel from Denmark, Iceland and USA. There are also special forces "Aitvaras" in Afghanistan. At the end of 2008 Lithuania will prepare a battalion sized unit for international missions, and at the end of 2014 - a brigade sized unit.
Equipment:
- Automatic Assault Rifles
- Vehicles:
- M113
- BTR-60
- BRDM-2
- MT-LB
- HMMWV
- Mercedes-Benz G-class
- Mercedes-Benz Unimog
- Sisu 8x8 high mobility tactical vehicle
- Land rover defender (SOJ)
- AntiTank guns:
- Anti Aircraft:
- Stinger anti-aircraft missile (Upgraded to Dual Mount Stinger)
- RBS-70 anti-aircraft missile
- M1097 Avenger
[edit] Lithuanian Navy
The Navy has 700 personnel. The Navy structure consists of naval headquarters, Sea Coastal Surveillance System (SCSS), mine coutermeasures, corvettes, fast patrol boats and small boat squadrons. The current Commander in Chief of the Lithuanian Navy is Rear Admiral (l.h.) Kęstutis Macijauskas. The Naval base and Headquarters are located in the city of Klaipėda. The Navy uses fast patrol boats and former Russian corvettes for coastal surveillance. The ships are organized into a Combat Ship Squadron (F), Patrol Boat Squadron (P) and Mine Countermeasures Squadron (M).
- F11 "Žemaitis" - Grisha-3 class corvette
- F12 "Aukštaitis" - Grisha-3 class corvette
- M51 "Kuršis" - Lindau class mine hunter
- M52 "Sūduvis" - Lindau class mine hunter
- P11 - Flyvefisken class patrol vessel
- 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
[edit] Lithuanian Air Force
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The military command center is located in Šiauliai (Zokniai Airport), and known as the 1st aviation base. Lithuanian Air Force has started a modernisation programme to bring their hardware closer to NATO standards and therefore are gradually withdrawing from use a number of former Russian aircraft and helicopters, the replacement of which is now starting. It is also planned that by the 2011/2012 timeframe the Baltic States will be able to provide their own air-cover with a fighter type yet to be selected and acquired.
Other bases used by the Lithuanian Air Force (LAF) are[1]:
- Klaipeda (providing basing for sea search and rescue detachment)
- Kazlu Ruda (Kaunas)(providing basing for sea search and rescue detachment)
- Vilnius
- Payustis (Panevezhis) known as the 2nd aviation base.
The initial formation of the LAF was the 2nd transport squadron with the transfer of 20 An-2 aircraft from civilian to military use, with initial basing at the Barushai air base on the 27 April 1992. These were joined by four L-39C Albatros aircraft purchased from Kazakhstan as part of the intended 16 to be used by the 1st fighter (training) squadron.
The aircraft stationed at Zakniai belong to the 11th and 12th aviation squadrons, while that at the Payustis is known as the 22nd squadron.
New Lithuanian aircraft arrived on 22 December 2006 when the first of three state of the art Alenia Aeronautica C-27J Spartan tactical transport was delivered at Siauliai airbase ensuring interoperability with its NATO partners. Two out of the three Antonov An-26 transport aircraft will be kept in service during the transition period. Air space will be patrolled by jet fighters from other NATO members, which are based out of the Šiauliai air base .
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions[2] | In service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aero L-39 Albatros |  Czechoslovakia |
jet trainer/light-attack aircraft | L-39C/L-39ZA | 4/2 |
| Alenia C-27 Spartan |  Italy |
tactical transport | C-27J | 3 |
| Antonov An-26 Curl |  Soviet Union |
transport | An-26B | 3 |
| Let L-410 Turbolet | Czechoslovakia |
transport | L-410UVP | 2 |
| Antonov An-2 Colt |  Poland |
transport | An-2 | 4 |
| Mil Mi-8 Hip | Soviet Union |
Transport helicopter | Mi-8MTV/Mi-8T/Mi-8PS | 1/7/1 |
The Lithuanian Air Force also operates RBS 70 anti-aircraft defence cannon systems.
A very interesting part of the Lithuanian Air Arms is the Lithuanian Border Guard. The Krašto apsaugos savanorių pajėgos (KASP, (English) or NDVF) is operating from two main bases; Šilutė in the southwest and Kyviškės in the northeastern part of the country. KASP have received new aircraft to patrol the borders with non-NATO foreign nations.
The helicopters of the LAF serve as part of the 23rd squadron, but are dispersed among several facilities. The Mi-2 aircraft have been transferred to the Lithuanian police forces.[3]
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions[4] | In service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eurocopter EC120 Colibri |  European Union |
single-engine helicopter | EC 120B | 2 |
| Eurocopter EC 135 | European Union |
light-twin engine helicopters | EC 135 T1 | 2 |
| Eurocopter EC 145 | European Union |
light-twin engine helicopters | EC 145 | 1 |
See also List of airports in Lithuania.
[edit] References
[edit] External links and Further Reading
- Stefan Marx, 'Lithuania's Defence Structure,' Jane's Intelligence Review, September 1993, p.407-409
- Lithuanian Ministry of Defence site
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