Lithuania - Land Forces - History
After the restoration of independence on 11 March 1990, the state needed armed forces in order to ensure its independent existence. On 25 April, the National Defence Department was set up, which had to develop and implement the concept of the national defence and create a national defence system.
However, immediately after the events of 13 January 1991, when the Soviets resorted to military force and killed 14 peaceful civilians, the Voluntary National Defence Service was founded, and the volunteer activity was legitimised by law.
After the failure of the August Putsch in Moscow, and with international recognition, on 16 October 1991, the Lithuanian Government established the Ministry of National Defence. On 31 August 1993, the territory of Lithuania was deserted by the last units of the occupational army.
In the Central and Eastern European regions, Lithuania emerged as one of the leaders especially due to the success of the Vilnius group, which has coordinated the efforts of the NATO hopefuls in their preparation for NATO membership.
An active process of the building of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and their integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures began. It was crowned by the country’s accession to NATO and the EU in 2004.
On 14 December 2010 Land Forces HQ Land Forces Training Center was established in Rukla. During the second half of 2010 the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) platoon of Land Forces Juozas Vitkus Engineer Battalion conducted a six-month duty in the 15th rotation of the NATO Response Force (NRF-15). The Platoon was ready to operate as a part of Polish EOD company. During the first half of 2010 Land Forces soldiers, mainly from King Mindaugas Mechanized Infantry Battalion, conducted a six-month standby in the European Union Battle Group (EUBG).
On 1st July 2011 Land Forces Command Land Forces Training Center became a separate Land Forces unit and was renamed as Land Forces Juozas Lukša Training Center. Starting 2011 Lithuanian Force Protection Company started a one year long duty in NATO Response Forces (NRF-2011 shift). Company was composed of soldiers from Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanized Infantry Battalion. On 3 October 2011 the NDVF 6th Territorial Unit of Prisikelimas Military District was re-established in Šiauliai. It was operating from 1999 to 2006. The decision was made depending on the conception of the country armed defense and main ways of national defense.
On 28 November 2011 the Minister of the National Defense by order approved the new structure of The Lithuanian Armed Forces. Main changes was in the structure of the Land Forces.
On 5 July 2012 Brigadier General Almantas Leika (now Major General) was appointed as a Commander of Lithuanian Land Forces. Since 2012 a two year standby of Domestic Support Forces of the Lithuanian Army was started by approx. 950 soldiers. Forces structured of Land, Air, Navy and Special Operations components. The biggest one is Land Component, which composed mostly from Land Forces units (Lithuanian Grand Duke Kestutis Motorized Infantry Battalion, Motorised infantry brigade "Iron Wolf", Juozas Vitkus Engineer Battalion and the NDVF).
On 30 June 2014 by the order of Lithuanian Land Forces Commander July 15th was approved as the Lithuanian Land Forces Day.
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