| Lithuanian Naval Force | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1935–1939, 1992 - present |
| Country | Lithuania |
| Branch | Lithuanian Armed Forces |
| Type | Navy |
| Role | Control, protect and defend territorial sea and exclusive economic zone. |
| Size | 13 vessels |
| Garrison/HQ | Klaipėda |
| Anniversaries | 4 July 1992, 1 September 1935 |
| Commanders | |
| Commander in Chief | Rear Admiral Kęstutis Macijauskas |
| Chief of Staff | Commander Arūnas Mockus |
| Insignia | |
| The naval ensign of Lithuania | |
The Lithuanian Navy is the naval arm of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Though formally established on 1 August 1935 its roots stretch back as far as naval engagements on the Baltic Sea in the Medieval period. Lithuanian naval units saw some service with Soviet naval forces during World War II, and the navy has been re-established in its own right and continues to expand since Lithuania's independence in 1990.
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Although the origin of the Lithuanian Navy dates back to the period between World War I and II, the history of the involvement in naval battles existed earlier. The Baltic tribe of Aistians that settled down in the Baltic Sea shore built ships and used them for trade as well as for military purposes. Furthermore, according to annals, in the 13th century other Baltic tribes, the Coronians and Samogitians, tried to destroy the castle of Riga coming by ships. It is also known about the Lithuanians’ victory in the ship battle in Nemunas River at the time when Duke Vytenis ruled the Duchy of Lithuania. The most known and important naval victory was achieved by great hetman Jan Karol Chodkiewicz on 24 March 1609 near Salismünde (now Salacgryva in Latvia) where he defeated Swedish fleet burning two enemy ships and losing none and hence breaking the blockade of Riga city. But generally the loss of territories near the Baltic Sea had a negative impact on Lithuanian's maritime development.
After World War I, the Government of Lithuania attempted to establish a maritime defense force. However, due to various political and economical reasons, the maritime defense force was only partially implemented. In 1923, Lithuania regained the control of Klaipėda harbor and gradual development of the maritime defense force started. The purchase of a minesweeper in 1927 was one of the first significant steps to implement Lithuanian Government aims. The ship was commissioned as the training ship Prezidentas Smetona (President Smetona). Captain Antanas Kaskelis was assigned as ship's commanding officer. Several small boats carried out patrol duties in Klaipėda harbor. Naval officers were educated abroad. On 1 August 1935, the commander in chief of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, General Stasys Rastikis, officially established the Lithuanian Navy as a branch of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
Before the beginning of World War II on 22 March 1939 the region of Klaipėda was occupied by Germany. Once the war started Lithuanian naval ships were forced to leave Klaipėda for Liepāja harbor in Latvia. During the Soviet occupation, the Lithuanian Navy was attached to the Soviet Union's Baltic maritime defense force. The Prezidentas Smetona was renamed Korall and participated in the sea battles against the German Navy. On 11 January 1945, the ship triggered a mine and sank in the Gulf of Finland.
After the declaration of independence on 11 March 1990, Lithuania had to re-establish its sovereignty as well as organize the state's defense system. From that time the units of the Lithuanian armed forces were formed. On 4 July 1992, the Lithuanian Navy was re-established. Juozapas Algis Leisis was appointed as commander of the Coast Guard Squadron.
In the fall of 1992, the Lithuanian Navy procured two Grisha class corvettes, Zemaitis (F11) and Aukstaitis (F12). After the crew training period in June 1992 both frigates participated in the international exercise US Baltops 93. This was the beginning of the international cooperation of the Lithuanian Navy with other navies.
Another milestone in Lithuanian naval history was the establishment of the Sea Coastal Surveillance Company in 1993 which later was transformed into the Sea Coastal Surveillance Service. On 1 April 2004, Lithuania became an official member of the NATO alliance. Currently the Lithuanian naval forces are undergoing rapid modernization.
Main tasks of the Lithuanian Naval Force are:
| Name | Picture | Origin | Class | Type | Built | Entered service (LNF) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mine Countermeasures Squadron | |||||||
| N42 Jotvingis | Norway | Vidar class minelayer | Minelayer and command vessel | 1977 | 2006 | Command and support ship.[1] Former HNoMS Vidar (N52) of the Royal Norwegian Navy. |
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| M51 Kuršis | United Kingdom | Hunt class minesweeper | Mine warfare vessel | 1982 | 2011 | Currently coming into service. Ex-M35 HMS Dulverton | |
| M52 Sūduvis | West Germany | Lindau class minesweeper | Coastal mine warfare vessel | 1957 | 1999 | Will be replaced by Hunt class mine countermeasure vessel. | |
| M53 Skalvis | United Kingdom | Hunt class minesweeper | Mine warfare vessel | 1982 | 2011 | Currently coming into service. Ex-M32 HMS Cottismore | |
| Patrol Boat Squadron | |||||||
| P11 Žemaitis | Denmark | Flyvefisken-class patrol vessel | Multirole warship | 1985 | 2008 | ||
| P12 Dzūkas | Denmark | Flyvefisken class patrol vessel | Multirole warship | 1988 | 2009 | ||
| P14 Aukštaitis | Denmark | Flyvefisken class patrol vessel | Multirole warship | 1993 | 2010 | ||
| P32 Sėlis | Norway | Storm-class patrol boat | Fast patrol boat | 1966 | 2001 | ||
| Harbor Boat Group | |||||||
| Šakiai | USSR | SAR ship | 1986 | 2009 | |||
| H21 | USSR | Cutter | 1983 | 1992 | Support vessel. | ||
| H22 | Sweden | Tugboat | 1955 | 2000 | Can operate as iceboat. | ||
| H23 Lokys | Denmark | Cutter | 1941 | 2005 | Diving support vessel. | ||
Both of the minesweepers are at A and P Falmouth for refit. Due to sail in the new year.
| Name | Picture | Origin | Class | Type | Built | Entered service (LNF) | Left service (LNF) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [[A41 Vetra]] | USSR | Valerian Uryvayev class weather reporting ship | Support ship | 1977 | 1992 | 2007 | Former Rudolf Samoylovich. Was scrapped after decommissioning. | |
| [[F11 Žemaitis]] | USSR | Grisha III class corvette | Corvette | 1981 | 1992 | 2008 | Former MPK-108 Komsomolets Latviy. Was scrapped after decommissioning. | |
| [[F12 Aukštaitis]] | USSR | Grisha III class corvette | Corvette | 1980 | 1992 | 2009 | Was scrapped after decommissioning. | |
| P31 Dzūkas | Norway | Storm-class patrol boat | Fast patrol boat | 1967 | 1995 | 2007 | Former P965 HNoMS Kjekk | |
| P33 Skalvis | Norway | Storm-class patrol boat | Fast patrol boat | 1967 | 2001 | 2009 | Former P969 HNoMS Steil |
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