Lithuania: Contributing and Adding Value to NATO

Lithuania is committed of peace and stability in the region. During the ten years of independence, Lithuania has established good relations with all of her neighbors, from very detailed military co-operation with Estonia and Latvia to strengthen the security of the Baltic Sea region to a strategic partnership with Poland. With regard to Russia Lithuania pursues a policy of mutually beneficial co-operation and has become a significant investor in the Kaliningrad region. As a reliable partner and stable democracy Lithuania plays a key role in the area. Lithuania has already become a contributing member to NATO and along with her neighbours adds value and additional capabilities.

Lithuania is committed to developing forces for deployment in support of international operations, multinational formations, and combat units for NATO-led PfP operations. With the help of various partners, Lithuania has deployed observers on several OSCE missions and a number of military units to Croatia, Bosnia, Albania and Kosovo. Additionally, Lithuania has developed an infantry company and some support staff to Bosnia, medical personnel to Albania, and three ranger platoons to Kosovo.

More than 800 troops have served in NATO-led, OSCE and UN missions since 1994 including UNROFOR, IFOR, SFOR, AFOR and KFOR. Thus, Lithuania contributes to one of the fundamental tasks of the Alliance conflict prevention and crisis management.

Currently there are 39 Lithuanians serving in NATO-led missions.

Since April 2001 Lithuania has been providing and fully maintaining transport aircraft AN-26 and its crew to NATO KFOR/SFOR missions. The aircraft is based in Italy and is used for transportation of NATO troops in the Balkans. When requested by NATO, Lithuania was able to take the decision on assignment of the aircraft to the mission in almost immediately through its internal decision making procedures.

When asked to contribute to peace support operations, Lithuania will consider deployment of one company size infantry unit (for short term deployment, i.e. 6 month) or one platoon size infantry unit (for long term deployment, i.e. 12 month) as a land component, or one aircraft as an air asset, or one vessel as a naval asset from the Lithuanian contribution list, and in addition - one engineer platoon and one medical section (including 2 ambulances, 2 doctors and 7 paramedics). This means that a contribution can come only from one service (one unit) at any one given time.

Establishment and hosting of the Regional Air Space Surveillance Centre. RASSC is farthest reaching surveillance centre in the region. The Centre is fully NATO interoperable and is able to provide the Alliance with surveillance data. This centre was established using national and U.S. resources in close co-operation with NATO Alliance and other Baltic countries. This adds great strategic value to NATO in the region.

Lithuania is a key contributor in the BALTNET project, and along with its Baltic partners has initiated discussions with respective NATO authorities on the possible establishment of a data exchange link between the Regional Airspace Surveillance Co-ordination Centre (RASCC) located in Lithuania and the NATO Integrated Air Defence System.

Expenditure for procurement projects increased from 9 % at the overall defence budget in the year 2000 to 21% in the year 2001.

The main procurement projects in the period from 2001 to 2003 are as follows: antiaircraft (AA) weapon systems, anti-tank (AT) weapon systems, tactical communications equipment, transport and logistics, radars.

In recent years a career in the Armed Forces has become more attractive in Lithuania’s labour market. Every year more and more high school graduates young men and women want to enter the Military Academy (there were year 599 candidates in 2001). There is no problem recruiting well-qualified specialists in to the professional military service. A large number of the volunteers from the National Defence Volunteer Forces are willing to continue their military career in the regular Armed Forces.

The Lithuanian Armed Forces have developed modern high quality military specialist training and education. Lithuanian Military Academy currently trains over 500 cadets each year. This year 103 have graduated and in September 164 new cadets will start their studies. There are three Bachelor degree programmes at the Military Academy - personnel management, transport engineering management, international relations.

There are 10 English language-training centres in Lithuania. Lithuania has the capacity for English language training up to the 3rd level in accordance with the STANAG 6001. Lithuania will establish capabilities for English military terminology training this year. About 30% officers are fluent (2nd level or higher) in official NATO languages. About 70% of personnel at the Ministry of Defence are fluent (2nd level or higher) in official NATO languages.

More than 1000 Lithuanian military officers and civil servants have been trained in respected educational institutions in NATO partner countries.

Considering geostrategic environment, risks and threats to national security and preparation to meet international commitments, Lithuania is reviewing its Armed Forces structure as well as Long-term State Security Enhancement Programmes and short-term development plans of the Armed Forces.

The main objective of this review is to find a best balance between capabilities required to address risk factors and international obligations and resources available to develop these capabilities. Taking into account the State’s possibilities as defence forces that are effective, flexible and able to implement the assigned missions. The priority is given to the development of efficient, reliable and mobile Ground Force and relatively small, mission tailored Air Force and Navy. Efficiently organised and well-trained reserve will be closely integrated with the Regular Force.

Priorities developing Lithuanian Armed Forces

• By the end of 2002 Lithuania will train and equip a battalion sized NATO compatible unit for possible deployed Article 5 operations outside Lithuanian territory;

• By the end of 2006 the Readiness Brigade will be trained and equipped for possible Article 5 operations on Lithuanian soil or immediate neighbouring countries;

• To enhance mobilisation reserve training;

• To further enhance airspace surveillance and control capability by procuring new 3 D radar systems;

• To develop Host Nation Support (HNS) infrastructure for reception of possible partner reinforcement;

• To further develop unified Logistics system.

About 64 percent of Lithuanian residents support Lithuania’s aspirations of joining NATO, according to the results of the survey carried out by the Market and Public Opinion Research Centre "Vilmorus" on June 7-11 this year. 1056 inhabitants in 18 urban and 56 rural locations of Lithuania were interviewed during the survey.

In March 2001, 51.2 percent of the respondents said that Lithuania should join NATO because membership in this organisation would guarantee security and stability and attract foreign investment into Lithuania.

According to the latest public opinion surveys, Lithuanian Army enjoys a great confidence of Lithuanian people. Passed by the Church, the Media and the State Bank lately it has the fourth position.

Lithuania is a contributing member to the Alliance with greater potential to add strategic value to the Alliance and help fulfil the historic destiny of truly a Europe whole and free.