Lithuania - Land Forces - Modernization
At independence in 1991 the army's equipment included fifteen BTR-60 armored personnel carriers. The modernization of the national defense of a country requires the support of its economic and technological forces; and the modernization level of national defense can only be improved gradually along with the increase of the country's economic strength.
On 23-25 April 1999, at the NATO Summit in Washington, the efforts and progress of Lithuania in aspiring for NATO membership were acknowledged. At the same Summit, NATO leaders launched the Membership Action Plan (MAP), designed to assist Lithuania in preparation for NATO membership. On April 29, 1999 Lithuania established a Co-ordination Commission for the Integration into NATO and approved the regulations on its activities. Lithuanian co-operation with and participation in NATO organisations and structures, provides an opportunity to improve national defense capabilities and interoperability. On September 8, 1999 Lithuania became the first North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) candidate country to submit its national NATO Membership Action Plan.
In December 2002, Cubic was awarded a $5 million contract sponsored by the US Army Security Assistance Command to provide professional analysis, technical and staff assistance necessary to support the government of Lithuania in national goals and its efforts to become part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This task was successful and Lithuania was invited to join the Alliance at the 2002 NATO Summit, and has been a contributive member since then.
The modernization of the Lithuanian Armed Forces called for the purchase of modern weapons and equipment. Lithuania’s purchasing capacities are potentially increasing due to growth in the national economy. Military sales may also be considered in the interests of NATO states in regard to Lithuania. US military sales formed the nucleus of Lithuania’s modern weaponry, particularly the Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) JAVELIN, the Short-Range Air Defense System (SHORAD) STINGER, and the Communication system HARRIS.
The LAF before 2003 was doctrinally oriented, manned, trained, and equipped for territorial defense. With outdated equipment, but with relatively effective command and control and highly motivated personnel, many specific units individually and within the overall force have been assessed as highly capable in conducting combat operations for a limited period of time. While seeking admission into NATO, the LAF has been actively modernizing and continuously improving military capabilities.
This included acquisition of NATO-compatible communications, and odernization of weapons. For example, in 2001-2004, Lithuania allocated approximately 111 million USD for modern weaponry. The LAF spent 34.34 million USD to purchase air defense systems, 25.36 million USD for radars, 22.36 million USD for tactical communications equipment, 13.03 million USD for anti tank systems, 9.91 million USD for transport, and 5.92 million USD for logistics purchases.
The deployment and sustainability capacity of the Land Forces was hampered by partially outdated weaponry and limited combat support and combat service support capabilities. Hence, in the beginning of 2005, the Land Forces were not sufficiently ready to participate in the full spectrum of international operations. Seeking to overcome these shortfalls and bring the forces up to NATO standards, current efforts are focused on equipment and armaments modernisation, enhancement of operational effectiveness and combat training. In the future, the Land Forces would have to participate in ever more diverse and more complex international operations, therefore the number of professionals in the Land Forces will continue to grow in order to ensure force mobility and its adaptation to a changing environment.
Lithuania revised its Military Defense Strategy following adoption of the new National Security Strategy in May 2002. These strategies shifted the role of its Territorial Forces from combat to primarily host nation support. Much of Lithuania’s military reform effort focused resources on those units dedicated to NATO responsibilities, including its Iron Wolf Brigade. Vilnius upgraded its command, control, and communications (C3) with the establishment of a military communications network and acquisition of new air surveillance radars.
Lithuania's outgoing Defense Minister Rasa Jukneviciene said 28 november 2012 that during the four years of her tenure, the Defense Ministry had to spend 80 percent of money intended for acquisitions and investment to pay for the equipment bought by the earlier administration.
In her words, the bulk of the equipment modernization budget went towards combat ships and trucks bought by the earlier Social Democratic administration, which she said did not reinforce the country's defense capacities. "The four years passed while paying for the earlier government's purchases, it was a huge challenge, especially since we saw that some of them weren't a priority. I do not criticize the purchase of Spartan, it answered its purpose. However, the SISU (trucks) and ships – I am sticking to the opinion I had at the time of coming to the office – were not a priority. Yes, they are high-quality good items, but definitely not the type that would reinforce the defense potential," said Jukneviciene of the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats (conservatives) who were in the opposition in the new Seimas.
The standard service assault rifle of the Lithuanian Armed Forces is the Heckler & Koch G-36 KA4, and the standard pistol is the Glock 17. The Special Operations Forces are equipped with a variety of weapons, including MP-5 submachine guns with various modifications, G36K carbines and sniper rifles. The Lithuanian Armed Forces are also equipped with machine guns, including the GPMG MG-3, the FN MAG, and the 12.7mm (.50 cal.) M-2 QCB. Th ey also employ AT-4 and Carl Gustav anti-tank grenade launchers, H&K GMG high-velocity grenade launchers, and low-velocity AG-36 under-the-barrel grenade launchers, in addition to light and heavy mortars and Howitzer M-50s. Lithuania continues to maintain anti-tank defence (Javelin) and mine clearance capabilities. The importance of air defence and protection against nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and other capabilities will not decrease in the future.
Lithuania is to buy 12 howitzer 2000 from the German military for 15 million euros ($15.9 million) along with the corresponding combat and weapon engagement systems. The governments were to finalize the details in May 2015. Lithuanian experts who visited Germany reached an agreement to buy sixteen PzH2000 self-propelled guns.
Asta Galdiskaite, press secretary for the Lithuanian Defense Ministry, said the country will also purchase fire coordination command centers needed for effective artillery work. Logistic support and repair equipment is on the buying list as well. Germany will hand over to Lithuania four PzH2000 guns without additional payments. They will be used for military training, logistic support and repair works. According to Galdikaite, the experts also discussed the possibility for Lithuanian military instructors to be trained at the German Artillery academy.
Roughly 200 combat and medlift Mercedes-Benz GD vehicles, trucks, and other military vehicles were brought from the Netherlands to Lithuania to supplement and update the fleet of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. On 18 August 2115 a meeting of Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas and Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lithuania HE Bert van der Lingen was held in Kaunas to celebrate the successful defence cooperation between the two countries.
“Procurement of military materiel from the Netherlands Armed Forces is only a part of our broader bilateral defence cooperation, which by all means will only make it stronger. The Netherlands actively contribute to the security in our region by taking part in the NATO Air Policing Mission on a regular basis, two Dutch soldiers serve with the NATO Force Integration Unit in Lithuania. We very much welcome the intention of the Netherlands to deploy rotational forces in Lithuania, that is, an infantry company in composition of the German-led multinational battalion. It is a step which will significantly strengthen practical cooperation between the Netherlands and Lithuania, as well as NATO presence in our region,” Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas underlined.
In his turn, Ambassador of the Netherlands HE B. van der Lingen underscored that the Netherlands are committed to NATO allies and stand ready to contribute to the initiative of strengthening the eastern border of NATO by deploying a Dutch company in composition of the German-led multinational battalion. The Netherlands also plan sending military personnel and fighter jets to carry out the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic States from Šiauliai and this way to contribute to the security in the region.
The Lithuanian Armed Forces bought from the Netherlands Armed Forces several hundreds of used military vehicles (Mercedes-Benz GD of various purposes, DAF tow-trucks and trucks, trailers, etc.) during the period of 2015-2017 on a bilateral basis. The vehicles are brought to Lithuania from the Netherlands in several phases: the first 15 vehicles arrived in late 2015, 18 medlift off-road vehicles, a tow-truck and several tens of trailers – in April 2016, roughly 150 combat and medlift off-road vehicles – in June-July 2016. The rest of the equipment, off-road vehicles, trucks, and trailers, will be delivered in 2016-2017. The total value of the project is EUR 7 m. The off-road vehicles in good technical condition are primarily delivered to the Depot Service of the Lithuanian Armed Forces in Kaunas and then distributed to other units.
This is the second military equipment procurement contract between Lithuania and the Netherlands. In 2012-2013 the Lithuanian Armed Forces bought vehicles, communications containers and airport service equipment (to replace outdated and not cost-efficient equipment then used in the Lithuanian Armed Forces) from the Netherlands Armed Forces for a good price.
Lithuania's land force units purchased 168 upgraded German M577 armored personnel carriers, the country's Defense Ministry said in a statement 30 November 2016. According to the ministry, the carriers are set to be delivered in several phases in 2017-2018, while the procurement also includes maintenance tools, spare parts and equipment for the crew. "The Lithuanian Armed Forces is buying command, indirect fire support, medical evacuation and training M577 armored personnel carriers in good technical condition that will fill in the shortages of armored vehicles in the Lithuanian Land Force," chief of the Logistic Support Command Lieutenant Colonel Ramunas Baronas said as quoted in the statement. The contract worth 1.6 million euros ($1.7 million) was signed in Vilnius. The country's armed forces are currently using M113 armored tracked vehicles, which are similar to M577 carriers.
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