Lithuanian army. Paramilitaries of other departments

The history of the modern Lithuanian Armed Forces dates back to 1991, when, after the collapse of the USSR, a voluntary edge protection service was created in this Baltic country.

The armed forces of the country now consist of ground forces, air forces, naval forces, special operations forces, logistics (logistics) management, training and personnel management, as well as units and subdivisions of central subordination.

According to the Constitution of the country, the supreme commander of the Armed Forces is the president. The general management of them is carried out by the Minister of Defense, who is a civilian. And the direct leadership of all units and subunits through the joint headquarters is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

The construction of the Lithuanian Armed Forces is aimed at maintaining a professional army in peacetime with a developed system of training and mobilization of the military reserve, which can be called up to the ranks of the Armed Forces in case of war or other emergencies.

Since March 29, 2004, Lithuania has been a full member of the North Atlantic Alliance. Since 2009, it has had an army that is recruited exclusively on a professional basis. Conscription for urgent military service was abolished in 2008.

The total number of the Armed Forces is about 13 thousand people. The largest number of personnel in the Ground Forces is about 8 thousand people. The Air Force serves 1,000 people, the Navy - 800.

The Ground Forces are the main and most numerous type of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. About 3,500 military and civilian personnel, as well as 4,500 volunteers, serve and work in their structure.

The main task of the Armed Forces is the protection and defense of the land territory of Lithuania, as well as participation in international peacekeeping missions and operations as part of multinational units.

The core of the Lithuanian ground forces is the 1st Motorized Infantry Brigade "Iron Wolf". In addition, the land group includes the Volunteer Territory Guard Forces, the Vitkaus Engineering Battalion and a training center.

The Iron Wolf motorized infantry brigade as part of the Danish Armed Forces motorized infantry division is part of the NATO Army Rapid Reaction Forces of the Allied Forces of the Allied Low Readiness Operation.

The basis of the brigade is six battalions: four mechanized infantry, as well as an artillery battalion named after General Gedraytis (with a deployment point in the city of Rukla) and a battalion of logistics (logistics) of direct support named after Prince Vaidotas (PPD - Rukla).

The military personnel of the brigade take part in all multilateral exercises held in the region under the auspices of NATO and the EU.

Voluntary forces for the protection of the region (troops of territorial defense) consist of units formed on a voluntary basis. The main task of the DSOK is the preparation of a military-trained reserve, and in the event of a crisis, the protection and defense of the country's strategic facilities and infrastructure. In addition, territorial defense units may be entrusted with the task of receiving and providing NATO units and subunits in the event of a threat of armed aggression from other states.

The Territorial Defense Troops consist of about 700 professional servicemen, who are the basis of all units, and 4,500 volunteers - they are regularly involved in mandatory training. Failure to appear at the training camp without a good reason is punishable by law. The DSOK includes five districts of territorial defense, a dragoon training battalion named after Prince Butigeidis, as well as a company for interaction with the civilian population.

District headquarters are located in the largest cities of the country - Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Alytus and Panevezys. Each district includes a command, headquarters, up to ten infantry companies and support units. Volunteer forces are deployed throughout the territory of Lithuania and are armed with both small arms and means of combating enemy armored vehicles.

The Dragoon Training Battalion named after Prince Butigeidis is designed to train volunteers and reserve soldiers for the armed defense of the state, as well as to provide assistance to the civilian population if necessary. He is stationed in Klaipeda.

The engineering battalion named after Vitkaus is intended for engineering support of units and subunits of the Lithuanian Army. It is stationed in Kaunas. The engineering unit is also entrusted with the performance of such tasks as the neutralization of explosives throughout the country, the provision of assistance to the civilian population in case of natural disasters. The battalion is armed with the only pontoon fleet in the Baltic States.

A training center has been set up in the city of Rukla to organize combat training classes, train specialists and junior commanders of ground forces units.

The Lithuanian ground forces are armed with modern small arms: Colt, Glock pistols, M-14, M-16, G-36 automatic rifles, MG-3, Browning machine guns, various types of submachine guns and sniper rifles. To combat armored vehicles, AT-4 and Carl Gustaf grenade launchers, as well as the Javelin anti-tank missile system, are used. In addition, units and subunits of the Lithuanian Army have 60 mm and 120 mm mortars, PV1110 recoilless guns, M-50 (M-101) 105 mm howitzers. To combat aircraft, the units are armed with MANPADS "Stinger" and RBS-70. The main means of transportation are the M113 armored personnel carrier, HMMWV ("Hammer") off-road vehicles of various modifications, as well as Soviet-made equipment - BTR-60, BRDM-2, MT-LB and other models of wheeled armored vehicles. The Lithuanian army does not have heavy armored vehicles.

Thanks to the help of allies in the alliance, the SV units are now armed with the latest models of communications equipment, ammunition and uniforms.

The personnel of the ground forces are regularly involved in the performance of tasks as part of international peacekeeping missions. In particular, units of the 1st Brigade "Iron Wolf" are on duty on a rotational basis as part of the EU and NATO Rapid Reaction Forces, and the FSRC troops are part of the mission to rebuild the Ghor province in Afghanistan.

As part of the reform and optimization of the structure of the Lithuanian Army, the units continue to be equipped with the latest models of equipment and weapons. By 2015, on the basis of the Iron Wolf motorized infantry brigade, it is planned to create a mechanized brigade, as well as form a communications and information systems battalion. In addition, the leadership of the SV will continue to replace obsolete equipment and weapons with new models in accordance with NATO standards.

The Lithuanian Air Force consists of an air base, an air defense battalion, an airspace surveillance and control department, and also a depot for the repair of equipment and weapons.

The main tasks of the Air Force are the protection and defense of air borders, the provision of support to land and sea forces, the implementation of search and rescue operations, as well as the transportation of goods and personnel of the Armed Forces.

The Lithuanian Air Force is the most equipped and combat-ready among the air forces of the Baltic States. Their headquarters and command are stationed in Kaunas.

The air base is located in the village of Zokniai near the city of Siauliai. Its airfield is the main airfield for receiving and servicing NATO aircraft in the Baltic countries. At present, it hosts aircraft of the alliance, performing on a rotational basis an air patrol mission to protect the air borders of the Baltic countries, as well as all kinds and types of aircraft of the Lithuanian Air Force.

The main task of the air base is to ensure aviation flights at any time and in any situation, as well as to maintain its infrastructure in readiness to receive and deploy allied aircraft.

The country's military aviators are armed with the C-27J Spartan transport aircraft (three units), the L-410UVP Turbolet transport aircraft (two units), the L-39ZA combat training light attack aircraft (one in September 2011 as a result of a mid-air collision during the second aircraft of this type crashed together with a French Air Force aircraft), an An-2 transport and passenger aircraft (three units), a Yak-18T training light aircraft, and a Yak-52 training aircraft (two units). In addition to aircraft, the Lithuanian Air Force has nine Mi-8MTV and Mi-8T helicopters - they are used to transport cargo and people, search and rescue operations, evacuate personnel, extinguish fires, conduct airborne training for military personnel, as well as provide fire support for the troops if necessary.

Helicopters, in addition to the air base, are stationed and on duty at two search and rescue posts - in the cities of Kaunas and Nemirseta (Klaipeda region). Rotary-winged equipment is used in the interests of searching and rescuing people, transporting seriously ill patients and delivering necessary medicines for them.

The North Atlantic Alliance has already invested about 50 million euros in the reconstruction and modernization of the infrastructure of the air base. A number of works have been completed to repair and reconstruct the runway, access roads, lighting equipment, communications equipment, and hangars have been built to accommodate NATO aircraft.

The airfield in Zokniai, after the modernization of the runway, is capable of receiving aircraft of strategic, heavy military transport aviation, as well as NATO AWACS airborne early warning and control aircraft.

An air defense battalion is intended to cover important state and military facilities, units and subunits of the Armed Forces from enemy air strikes. It is armed with the Stinger and RBS-70 MANPADS, as well as the m-48 air defense system (which includes the L-70 anti-aircraft artillery gun, the CIG-790 fire control radar and the PS-7 radar). To obtain data on the air situation, the Mk-IV Giraffe and Sentinel radars are used.

The headquarters of the battalion is located in the town of Radviliskes. Air defense batteries are located in close proximity to strategic objects. In particular, after the 2001 terrorist attack in the United States, one battery is deployed near the Ignalina nuclear power plant.

In order to maintain a high level of combat readiness, the battalion's servicemen carry out combat training firing at various training grounds in Lithuania and abroad to maintain a high level of combat readiness.

Obtaining information about the air situation is carried out at the expense of radar posts located throughout the country. The following types of radars are installed on them: P-37, P-18 and TRML-3D / 32. Information from radar posts is sent to the regional airspace control and air traffic control center of the Baltnet system, which is located in the city of Karmelava. The center in Karmelava is capable of collecting and processing information on the air situation over the territory of eight states - Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Belarus and the western part of Russia. The plans of the NATO command to implement the full integration of "Baltnet" into a single air defense system of the alliance.

The depot for the repair of equipment and weapons is intended for the repair and maintenance of all types of aircraft, special equipment and weapons of the air defense battalion.

The main directions of the development of the Lithuanian Air Force are the renewal of the Soviet-made radar fleet - their replacement with modern Western models, the purchase of new aircraft and helicopters, as well as the completion of the modernization of the Zokniai airbase. In addition, the media is actively discussing the issue of including in the duty schedule for patrolling the airspace of the Baltic countries aircraft of the air forces of states that are not members of the NATO bloc - Sweden and Finland.

The country's naval forces are intended to protect the maritime borders and territorial waters of Lithuania, ensure the safety of navigation, control the surface and underwater situation, and conduct search and rescue operations at sea.

The warship flotilla is the main unit of the Lithuanian Navy. It consists of a division of minesweepers, a division of patrol (patrol) boats and a division of auxiliary boats. The main tasks of the flotilla are the protection of territorial waters and the economic maritime zone of Lithuania, navigation, the port of Klaipeda, as well as search and rescue activities. The flotilla has 11 ships: two minesweepers, four patrol boats, a command ship and four auxiliary boats.

The Sea and Coastal Surveillance Service is designed to control and monitor the situation within the maritime borders of Lithuania, to identify ships, and to manage navigation. These tasks are carried out with the help of observation posts located on the coast of the Baltic Sea near the cities of Klaipeda, Palanga and Nida.

Underwater command is designed to search for and destroy explosive ordnances that threaten the safety of navigation at sea and on the coast. In addition, the team's sapper divers participate in search and rescue operations, lift various items from the seabed, and assist the country's Interior Ministry in investigating crimes.

The logistics service, which is located at the main naval base of the Lithuanian Navy in Klaipeda, is responsible for the comprehensive provision of the needs of the Navy, the repair and maintenance of weapons and military equipment.

The following tasks are entrusted to the coordinating center for rescue at sea: search and rescue of people at sea, elimination of the consequences of sea pollution.

Navy specialists are being trained at the training center.

Every year, Lithuanian ships and Navy personnel are allocated to the Baltic Naval Squadron "Baltron". This is a joint project of the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian navies to search for and destroy sea mines left over from World War II. In addition, the Lithuanian Navy constantly takes part in various exercises held in the Baltic Sea.

Special operations forces are intended to fight terrorism in the country and abroad, conduct an unconventional war, special intelligence, protect important persons, and carry out operations to free hostages.

The Lithuanian MTR consists of a headquarters (command), a separate Jaeger battalion named after the great Vytautas (PPD - the city of Kaunas), a special service (Vilnius), a combat swimmer service (Klaipeda) and a link of combat helicopters (Zokniai airbase).

Since 2002, SOF servicemen have been performing peacekeeping missions in southern Afghanistan as part of the NATO International Security Assistance Force.

The units of special operations forces are armed with the most modern models of weapons and equipment.

In order to plan, organize, and also control the process of training and preparing military personnel for the fulfillment of tasks for their intended purpose, the Training and Personnel Directorate has been created in the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

The school of the Armed Forces, the training regiment and the combat training center are subordinate to him.

The School of the Armed Forces was established in 2010 on the basis of the non-commissioned officer school in Kaunas. The main task of this educational institution is the training of junior commanders and military personnel of rare specialties. Education is organized in 67 programs.

The training regiment named after Hetman Radvila is engaged in the education and training of the rank and file. It is a kind of "gateway" to the ranks of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. It is here that specialists form the professional image of the defender of the country from civilian youth for nine weeks. In addition, on the basis of the parachute center of the regiment, special training is carried out for military personnel for the 1st Iron Wolf Brigade, MTR and units of the DSOK. The training unit is located in the city of Rukla. For practical training, there is a training ground, which is located near the village of Gayzhunai.

To consolidate the theoretical knowledge gained in practice, the Combat Training Center named after General Ramanauskas is intended. With the help of computer equipment for training the personnel of subunits and headquarters, various conditions of the situation are simulated here. The center is located in the village of Nemenchyn.

Training of officers of the Armed Forces is carried out at the Lithuanian Military Academy named after General Jonas Zemaitis, the Aviation Institute named after Gustaitis, as well as in military educational institutions of other NATO member countries.

The Logistics Department is responsible for the planning, organization and comprehensive support of the life of the troops both on the territory of Lithuania and abroad.

The directorate includes the headquarters (command), the material resources department, the military medical service, the military cartographic center, the traffic control center, the crew support service (calculations), the general support logistics battalion, the aircraft depot service.

In addition to the departments, services, units and divisions listed above, the Lithuanian Armed Forces include the Gediminas headquarters battalion, the military police and the military chaplain service.

The headquarters battalion is intended to perform representative functions. The main task of the military police is to exercise control over the observance of the laws and legal acts of the country both by the military personnel of the Armed Forces and in relation to them.

Since 1994, Lithuanian military personnel have been involved in peacekeeping missions and operations. The personnel of the Lithuanian Armed Forces performed peacekeeping missions in countries such as Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Georgia, Afghanistan, Macedonia, Iraq, Indonesia, Pakistan.

As part of the military cooperation of the Baltic countries, Lithuanian components (along with Latvian and Estonian) are included in the peacekeeping battalion "Baltbat" and the joint Baltic anti-mine squadron "Baltron". Lithuanian air defense components are in the unified airspace control system of the Baltic countries - Baltnet. In addition, units of the 1st MBR "Iron Wolf" perform tasks as part of the EU Rapid Response Force and the NATO International Security Assistance Force.

Currently, about 240 military personnel of the country are in Afghanistan as part of peacekeeping missions: about 150 people - in the province of Ghor, in Kabul - military personnel of the logistics department, in Kandahar - instructors of the Air Force, in the province of Zabul, military personnel of the SOF carry out tasks.

The plans of the leadership of the military department plan to reduce the number of Lithuanian military personnel stationed in Afghanistan. This will be accomplished by transferring responsibility for the restoration of Ghor province to local authorities before the end of 2013.

Thus, the armed forces of Lithuania are a military organization consisting of combat-ready, mobile, well-equipped and armed units and subunits capable of protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, as well as, if necessary, providing assistance to NATO and EU allies.

Prepared by Sergey Batraev, [email protected]

The Armed Forces of the Republic of Lithuania, or the Army of Lithuania, is the military organization of Lithuania, designed to protect the freedom, independence and territorial integrity of the country.

The modern armed forces of Lithuania were organized in 1991, when, after the collapse of the USSR, a voluntary service for the protection of the region was created in Lithuania. The total number of the Lithuanian Army is about 12 thousand people. The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, according to the Constitution of the country, is the president, who exercises formal leadership. The political and administrative leadership of the Armed Forces is entrusted to the Minister of Defense (civilian). Direct leadership of all units and subunits, through the joint headquarters, is exercised by the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The recruitment of the Armed Forces is carried out according to a mixed principle - by regular military personnel on a contract basis, and by conscripting those liable for military service upon reaching the age of 19. The service life is 12 months. On March 29, 2004, Lithuania became a full member of NATO.

COMPOSITION OF THE ARMED FORCES

The Lithuanian Armed Forces consist of ground forces, air force, naval forces, special operations forces, logistics (logistics) department, training and personnel department, as well as units and subdivisions of central subordination.

The Ground Forces (SV) number about 10,000 servicemen. The leadership of the SV, through the headquarters of the ground forces, is carried out by the commander of the SV. They include: the Iron Wolf motorized infantry brigade, the “volunteer forces for the protection of the region” (territorial defense troops) and a separate engineering battalion.

The Voluntary Forces for the Protection of the Territory (DSOK) consist of units formed on a voluntary basis. Their main task is to train a military-trained reserve, and in the event of a crisis, to guard and defend the country's strategic facilities and infrastructure. The Voluntary Forces for the Protection of the Territory are composed of about 700 professional servicemen and 4,500 volunteers who are regularly involved in compulsory training. The MLSC is divided into five territorial defense districts. They include: a dragoon training battalion named after Prince Butigeidis and a company for interaction with the civilian population.

The Air Force includes: aviation, air defense forces and facilities, as well as the Air Force Training Center. The leadership is carried out by the commander through the headquarters of the Air Force. The number of personnel of the Air Force is about 1000 people. The Air Force includes five squadrons (two transport aviation, training and two helicopter), an air defense division, a STOL and air traffic control (ATC) service, and a training center. The Air Force has three air bases: Zokniai, Payuostis, Kazlu Ruda.

The naval forces have in their composition a flotilla of warships (Klaipeda), consisting of four divisions: frigates, minesweepers, patrol boats, boats BOHR. In addition, the Navy includes: a coastal defense battalion (Klaipeda), a surface surveillance service, a logistic support service, a naval training center. A squad of combat swimmers was transferred to the special operations forces (SOF). The total number of the Navy is 800 people. The leadership of the Navy, like the MTR, is carried out by the commander through the headquarters.

The Special Operations Forces (SOF) are intended mainly to carry out anti-terrorist activities, conduct special intelligence, provide military assistance to other special services, and also participate in restoring law and order in the country. The structure of the MTR includes: a separate Jaeger battalion named after. Vytautas the Great, a special service and a detachment of combat swimmers.

WEAPONS

Thanks to the help of NATO allies, the army is armed with the latest communications technology, ammunition and uniforms. The Lithuanian Army is armed with modern small arms: Colt, Glock pistols, M-14, M-16, G-36 automatic rifles, MG-3 machine guns, Brownig, various types of sniper rifles. To combat armored vehicles, AT-4 and Karl Gustav grenade launchers, as well as the Javelin anti-tank missile system, are used. In addition, there are 60 mm and 120 mm mortars (90 units), PV1110 recoilless guns (100), M-50 (M-101) 105 mm howitzers. To combat aircraft, the units are armed with MANPADS "Stinger" and RBS-70 (20 units), anti-aircraft artillery guns (18). The main vehicles are armored personnel carrier MPZ, off-road vehicles HMMWV ("Hammer") of various modifications, as well as Soviet-made equipment - BTR-60, BRDM-2, MT-LB and other types of wheeled armored vehicles (about 200 units) of heavy armored vehicles the Lithuanian army does not have. The DSOK is armed with auxiliary aircraft (25 units) and five helicopters.

The Air Force is composed of: 11 transport aircraft, 4 training aircraft, 12 MI-8 transport helicopters. The Navy is armed with: two warships (minesweepers of the Hunt type made in the UK, pr. 320 / 33IB), seven boats (three PK of the Fluvefisken type, one PK of the Storm type of Norwegian production, three boats of the BOHR - former Swedish) and auxiliary vessel "Yotvingis".

The history of the armed forces of the three Baltic republics, as well as the history of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, has much in common. Period of independence between the two world wars, accession to the USSR, German occupation, re-incorporation into the Soviet Union, declaration of independence in the early 1990s. All these small states have rather weak military forces and prefer to rely on their NATO allies.

Latvia

The national armed forces of Latvia can be considered the heirs of the armed forces that existed before 1940 and included four land divisions, a technical division, the Navy and various auxiliary formations. After the incorporation of Latvia into the USSR, units of the Latvian army were transformed into the 24th Latvian Rifle Corps of the Red Army, which was under operational control of the 27th Army. In August 1991, a law was passed in Latvia on the creation of the first paramilitary unit "Zemessardze", and after the declaration of independence of Latvia, the government began the creation of the armed forces.

Since 1994, Latvia has actively participated in the NATO Partnership for Peace program. And in March 2004, the republic joined the North Atlantic Alliance. Latvian military personnel participated in various international missions in hot spots: in the peacekeeping contingent in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the KFOR contingent (Kosovo), in the occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq.

In mid-2005, the concept of standard small arms was adopted in Latvia, which provided for the gradual re-equipment of the Latvian army with weapons of the NATO standard. At the same time, first of all, the formations participating in the missions of the North Atlantic Alliance, as well as units that were intended to participate in international operations, were to be equipped with new weapons.

In November 2006, the first batch of HK G36 assault rifles entered service with the Latvian army. In January 2007, general military duty was abolished, and a transition to a professional army took place.

The Latvian Armed Forces number about 5,000 servicemen and 10,000 reservists. Including more than 900 - in the Ground Forces, 552 - in the Navy, 250 - in the Air Force. There are also more than 1,200 civilian employees in the armed forces. The military budget for 2012 was 370 million euros.

The Latvian Land Forces include the following units and subunits: Land Forces Infantry Brigade, Special Forces Unit, Armed Forces Headquarters Battalion, Military Police, Territorial Defense Forces, Logistics Administration, Training Administration.

In 2015, several CVRT tracked armored personnel carriers were delivered to Latvia, designed to improve the combat capability and mobility of the infantry brigade of the ground forces. By 2020, the Latvian military should receive 123 of these tracked armored personnel carriers purchased from the UK. The Latvian army is also armed with American army all-terrain vehicles Humvee, which have high maneuverability and are suitable for air transportation and landing.

Active negotiations are underway with Germany regarding the purchase of Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled artillery mounts and infantry fighting vehicles. And in the summer of 2015, the commander of the Latvian armed forces told the press that his country would buy Stinger man-portable air defense systems from the United States. As expected, these MANPADS will be located at the largest military training ground in the Baltic States - the Adazi military base.

The Latvian Air Force is small. In the early 2000s, two new Mi-8MTV helicopters were purchased, equipped with rescue and search equipment, but also used to transport manpower, evacuate and support special forces. Then two more Mi-8MTVs were purchased. Previously, the Air Force was armed with the Polish training and sports aircraft PZL-104 Wilga, the Czechoslovak universal twin-engine aircraft Let L-410 Turbolet, the Soviet An-2 light multi-purpose aircraft, and the Mi-2 helicopter.

Not surprisingly, having a very modest air force arsenal, Latvia (as well as Lithuania and Estonia) is forced to use the services of "colleagues" in NATO, who alternately patrol the airspace of the Baltic republics. Since January 2016, this mission has been carried out by Belgian and Spanish military aircraft flying from a NATO military base in the Lithuanian city of Siauliai.

The Latvian navy consists of 587 servicemen and several ships, the main task of which is the clearance of territorial waters, as well as patrolling. The reserve of the armed forces is made up of Latvian citizens who have completed military service (5,000 people). In the event of general mobilization, the army will receive another 14 light infantry battalions, one air defense battalion, one artillery battalion and several support units.

As of 2012, the strength of the State Border Guard of Latvia was 2,500 people, armed with three helicopters, three patrol boats, 12 small patrol boats, four motor boats, two trucks, four buses, 11 off-road minibuses, 22 off-road vehicles, 60 minibuses , 131 cars, 30 ATVs, 17 motorcycles and seven tractors.

Lithuania

Until 1940, the Lithuanian armed forces were called the Lithuanian Army. After the inclusion of the republic into the USSR, it was reorganized into the 29th Territorial Rifle Corps of the Red Army. In January 1992, the Ministry of Regional Protection began its activities. At the same time, the first call for active military service was announced. In November 1992, the re-establishment of the Army of the Republic of Lithuania was proclaimed.

Continuing the traditions of the Lithuanian Army of the interwar period, many battalions of the modern Lithuanian army were given the names of the regiments of the 1920s - 1930s and their symbols. The modern armed forces of Lithuania consist of the Ground Forces, the Navy, the Air Force and the Special Operations Forces.

In September 2008, military conscription was abolished in Lithuania, and now the Lithuanian armed forces are recruited on a professional basis. However, in 2015, the conscription was "temporarily" restored - under the pretext of the "Russian threat" and the fact that many units were understaffed. At the same time, young people aged 19 to 26 are called up, selected using a computer draw.

As of 2011, the military budget of Lithuania was 360 million US dollars (later it increased several times, approaching 500,000 dollars), the total number of armed forces was 10,640 regular military personnel, 6,700 reservists, another 14.6 thousand served in other paramilitary formations.

The Ground Forces has more than 8,000 servicemen (a brigade of rapid reaction forces, two motorized infantry battalions, two mechanized battalions, an engineer battalion, a military police battalion, a training regiment and several territorial defense units). There are 187 M113A1 armored personnel carriers in service; ten BRDM-2; 133 105mm field artillery guns; 61 120 mm mortars, up to 100 recoilless 84 mm Carl Gustaf guns, 65 anti-tank systems, 18 anti-aircraft guns and 20 RBS-70 portable anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as over 400 anti-tank grenade launchers of various systems.

The Lithuanian Air Force has less than one thousand troops, two L-39ZA aircraft, five transport aircraft (two L-410s and three C-27Js) and nine Mi-8 transport helicopters. More than 500 people serve in the Lithuanian Navy.

The Navy is armed with one Project 1124M small anti-submarine ship, three Danish Flyvefisken-class patrol ships, one Norwegian Storm-class patrol boat, three other types of patrol boats, two British-built Lindau minesweepers (M53 and M54), one command ship mine- minesweeping forces of Norwegian construction, one hydrographic vessel and one tug. There is also a Coast Guard (540 men and three patrol boats).

Like other Baltic republics, Lithuania began cooperation with the North Atlantic Alliance in 1994 under the Partnership for Peace program, which continued until joining NATO in March 2004. The Lithuanian military took part in missions in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. After Lithuania joined NATO, the integration of the country's armed forces with the armed forces of other countries of the alliance began.

In particular, the Lithuanian Iron Wolf motorized brigade was included in the Danish division, and in 2007 an agreement was signed on the creation by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania of an infantry battalion of NATO's priority engagement forces. In September 2015, a NATO headquarters was opened in Vilnius (similar ones are also open in Estonia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Poland and Romania), which employs 40 military from the countries - members of the alliance (primarily Germany, Canada and Poland). One of its main tasks is the coordination of the NATO rapid reaction forces in the event of an international crisis in the region.

Estonia

The modern Estonian armed forces (Estonian Defense Army) in peacetime number about 5.5 thousand people, of which about two thousand are conscripts. The reserve of the armed forces is about 30,000 people, which makes it possible to fully equip one infantry brigade, four separate battalions and organize four defensive regions. In addition, there are more than 12 thousand people who are members of the Defense League (the so-called Defense League, a volunteer paramilitary formation).

The Estonian Armed Forces are recruited on the basis of universal conscription. Young men from 18 to 28 years old who are not exempt and who are Estonian citizens are required to do eight or 11 months of service (individual specialists). The largest part of the armed forces are the Ground Forces. The ability to participate in missions outside the national territory and carry out operations to protect the territory of Estonia, including in cooperation with allies, has been declared a priority for their development.

Along with a certain amount of Soviet-made armored vehicles, the Estonian army is armed with several dozen Swedish Strf 90 infantry fighting vehicles, Finnish armored personnel carriers Patria Pasi XA-180EST and Patria Pasi XA-188.

The main functions of the Estonian Navy are the protection of territorial waters and coastlines, ensuring the safety of maritime navigation, communications and maritime transport in territorial waters, and cooperation with the NATO Navy. The navy includes patrol ships, minesweepers (Sandown minesweepers), support ships, and coast guard units. Separately, it is worth mentioning the voluntary military organization Defense League, which is subordinate to the Ministry of Defense.

It consists of 15 territorial divisions, the areas of responsibility of which basically coincide with the borders of the Estonian districts. This organization takes part in the exercises of the Estonian army, in addition, its activists participate in ensuring public order as volunteer assistants to the police, in extinguishing forest fires and performing some other public functions.

Like other Baltic states, Estonia is a member of the North Atlantic Alliance and has high hopes for its allies. Thus, in the spring of 2015, Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves called for the permanent deployment of NATO forces (at least a brigade) in the country. And the Estonian Air Force participated in joint exercises with the US Air Force several times over the past year: American attack aircraft flew in the Estonian sky and a training airborne landing was carried out.

A small Estonian contingent took part in the war in Afghanistan as part of the international ISAF forces, as well as in the American occupation of Iraq. A small number of Estonian representatives have taken part in UN, EU and NATO peacekeeping missions in Lebanon, Mali, Kosovo and the Middle East.

Andrey Yashlavsky

Photo: Sergei Stepanov / Alfredas Pliadis / Xinhua / Globalookpress

The study of military history, military affairs is one of the ways to touch the general history. The history of the Lithuanian armed forces, as well as world military history, is very informative. Perhaps, for this, the Lithuanians should be grateful to their ancestors, who, from the very moment the tribes appeared, did not give rest to either each other or their neighbors. Robberies, battles, wars were almost the way of their life. Of course, if we fast forward to the present times and consider the latest period, we will be convinced that in modern Lithuania, military science and military history are already on a completely different level. The Lithuanian army, having gone through a very long and difficult path of development, has become modern, equivalent to the armed forces of other countries. One of the attributes of the army, following the requirements of modernity, is the emergence of special forces.

What path did the Lithuanian Special Forces go through to reach the current level and earn the recognition of foreign partners?

Special operations and the units of the armed forces that carry them out are attracting more and more attention from both the military and the public. Since the world practice of such units is still quite new, I assume that the interest in this topic is beyond doubt. The relevance of the topic is also quite justified. It suffices to turn to the events of 2001, when international terrorism demonstrated its strength with unprecedented clarity and cruelty. In the war against this threat, special forces were needed. On the scale of Lithuania, the changes and reorganization carried out in the Special Forces over the past 4 years cannot go unnoticed. It is worth bearing in mind that even greater transformations in these troops are planned in the near future. As a result of such reforms, Lithuania can become one of the leaders in the separation of special forces and their adaptation to the role of separate units against the backdrop of a common armed forces.

Prerequisites for the emergence of special forces
World background

In the twentieth century, with the growing threat of terrorism in the world, the armed forces of different countries began to look for ways to deal with this outwardly invisible and difficult to predict enemy. For this purpose, non-conventional army units were created, recognized to carry out special operations. To effectively combat illegal terrorist groups, such units must be small and flexible, able to act particularly quickly and unconventionally in a changing situation. To gain time, special units must be guided by simpler planning and operating procedures than a conventional conventional army.

Army units capable of performing special combat missions performed different tasks in different periods of history.

Prior to the First World War, such units were considered elite units of light cavalry, performing reconnaissance raids and quick attacks behind enemy lines. When the war moved to the positional stage, the status of special forces was awarded to the assault and trench combat teams, which specialized in unexpected occupation and suppression of the most dangerous enemy firing points.

During the Second World War, reconnaissance and sabotage units of tactical and operational purposes, and mobile assault units can be considered representatives of the special forces. At this time, a more massive use of sea and air assault begins. At that time, such units were formed more on an experimental basis than on the model of statutory army units. The functioning of such units was largely based on adventurism. The operations performed had a particularly high degree of risk. Often the military leadership formally did not want to control the course of a military operation. The responsibility for its result rested with the commander of the special unit himself.

Exercises before leaving for Afghanistan

With the development of the Cold War, many quantitatively and qualitatively created military units arose. The strike units remained, but the niche of special operations began to be occupied by completely different trained units. Their specialization was long-term autonomous activity in a low-intensity conflict zone or behind enemy lines. From the end of World War II until the 70s, this area of activity (modern special forces) gradually became the most in demand (British Special Air Service SAS, American Green Beret operations in Southeast Asia). Purely offensive operations by such units were relatively rare. Contact with the enemy was due only to the inevitability of the situation. A lot of experience was accumulated in small units, counterguerrilla operations. In the event of a global military conflict, non-conventional actions carried out by special forces were to be transferred to the deep rear of the enemy. In this case, special attention should have been paid to the decommissioning of civilian and military strategic facilities.

Standard of the Special Operations Forces

Since the 70s of the twentieth century, another area of activity of special forces began to stand out - short-term active and aggressive direct actions. I had to fight not only in the jungle and in the countries of the "third world", but also against the "urban guerrillas". Criminal and political terrorism came to Europe and the USA, and it was necessary to take measures against it. Increased attention has been given to units that specialize in such measures. This was caused by the first wave of terrorism from the radical left and small pro-Islamist groups, which caused many casualties.

Special anti-terrorist groups improved on the battlefield. By the early 1990s, these units had already accumulated invaluable experience. The British are considered the most experienced in the field of special operations, namely their special forces SAS. These troops are trained in a wide range of special operations.

The organizational structure of the US ground forces is more focused on certain specialized areas, such as rangers - an assault unit; "Green Berets" - a special operations group designed for operations in the deep rear; "Delta" - special purpose anti-terrorist unit; "Navy seals" of the Navy - a unit of combat swimmers. However, in the 80s, practice showed that the activities of these troops were not properly coordinated. In 1984, the United States created the operational leadership of special forces, coordinating plans for special operations.

The emergence of special forces is associated with the desire to oppose the human factor of industrialization and the military industry. At the new stage of warfare, it is not large weapons that pose an increasing danger, but an arsenal of small and diverse weapons. Now a disproportionately large blow can be delivered not by classical troops, but by structures in which political, criminal, religious and military components are intertwined. This makes modern special forces improve at a qualitative level. Even more important at this stage is the connection of such units, that is, complex-collective activity. In modern operations, activities and tasks are performed simultaneously at multiple levels.

Emergence of Lithuanian Special Forces

The beginning of the special forces of Lithuania was laid by the current Jaeger battalion named after Vytautas the Great. This battalion began to form in 1991.

The history of the development and consolidation of our special forces is similar to the general evolution of troops of this kind. Having emerged as assault units, they have turned into professional, well-equipped units capable of performing not only highly specialized, but also complex tasks.

Nevertheless, 1995 is officially considered the emergence of Lithuanian special forces, when it was decided to create a professional counter-terrorism unit. The Special Purpose Department of the Volunteer Service for the Protection of the Territory (DSOK) was a unit created on the basis of volunteer service. Later, only the name of this department changed, which became known as the Special Purpose Service (SON).

A turning point in the development of the Lithuanian special forces occurred after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack in the United States. All special forces (Jäger battalion commandos, SON fighters, combat swimmers of the Underwater Action Command (KPD), Air Force helicopter unit), which had previously operated separately, were united into the Aitvaras formation. The first test of this connection was Operation Durable Peace, which began in Afghanistan in 2002. In the course of carrying out joint actions, the squadron coped with the assigned tasks very well and was rated excellently by the military leadership of foreign partners. At that time, this squadron was not yet permanent, its mobilization took place only by order of the military commander. The last point in the process of unification of the special forces was set in January 2004, when the permanent special task force "Aitvaras" was established. It should be emphasized that this became precisely a permanent connection, for the command of which a separate state was established.

The use of special forces

In cases where peaceful means have been exhausted, and the conflict takes place outside the country, or citizens of a foreign state are involved in it, and the use of precisely targeted and unexpected armed force is necessary, the leadership of the state and the army command sets a task for the military special forces. According to international standards, elite military units are designed to perform short-term, especially complex, locally defined and specific tasks. In peacetime, this can be the release of Lithuanian citizens taken hostage in another country, the evacuation of embassy employees and citizens of our country from zones covered by armed conflict, the detention of war criminals as part of the implementation of international agreements or assignments, other special operations abroad, security representatives of higher foreign ranks within their country. In the event of a military conflict, the task is to destroy the strategic objects of the enemy, organize ambushes, protect individuals, reconnaissance and sabotage operations.

Units of the special purpose unit "Aitvaras"
Connection Headquarters

In the Lithuanian armed forces, military units have existed for quite a long time, on the basis of which, after the terrorist attack in the United States on September 11, 2001, it was decided to form the Aitvaras special operations unit (hereinafter referred to as MTR), designed to perform special tasks, including anti-terrorist ones. Beginning in 2002, the Special Service, Jaeger Battalion Commandos, Navy Combat Swimmers and the Air Force Special Operations Helicopter Unit, until then performing their functions separately from each other, began to organize themselves into a flexible or mobile, but non-permanent unit, assembled by order of the commander of the army to perform special tasks of an unconventional nature.

In 2004, the Headquarters of the SOF was created, to which the SOF and the Jaeger Battalion were directly subordinate, and the Command of Underwater Actions of the Navy and the Special Operational Helicopter Unit of the Air Force were transferred to operational subordination. The creation of the headquarters was carried out in order to more effectively manage and coordinate the activities of the compound. Its structure does not differ from the classical headquarters. The only difference is that here the procedures take a little less time. Servicemen from the SON, Jaeger battalion served at the headquarters, an opportunity was created to serve as servicemen of the Navy's underwater operations team and the Special Operations Helicopter Unit of the Air Force. The main task of the MTR Headquarters is to ensure that the different parts of the formation function effectively and complement each other, rationally using their specialized functions.

Symbols of the headquarters of the MTR

Insignia and awards

The special-purpose unit began to be called "Aitvaras" not by chance. Lithuanians often associate military affairs with a romanticized view of the times of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Lithuanian folklore (in legends, tales, legends) reflects the firmness, determination, strength of the Lithuanian warrior, justice and devotion to one's country. Aitvaras is a mythological creature, a flying fiery spirit, the guardian of the elements. One of the reasons for choosing such a name is related to those mythological properties of Aitvaras, which are associated with his mystery and secrecy, which is closely related to the halo surrounding the special forces. Often the appearance of Aitvaras is described as rarely and unexpectedly shown to people, a fiery poker with a sparkling tail flying in the crowns of trees.

In the myths, Aitvaras helps good people and punishes bad ones. Consequently, Atvaras is also considered as a symbol of justice.

Aitvaras in the form of a fiery medieval Lithuanian sword is depicted on the patch of the Special Operations Unit "Aitvaras".

Jaeger Battalion. Vytautas the Great

The training unit (Kaunas company) - a jaeger battalion, was born in 1991, when a company of the Voluntary Regional Guard Service (DSOK) was established in Kaunas. On December 3, 1991, the Kaunas Rapid Reaction Battalion was officially established, which in 1992 became the Kaunas Motorized Landing Battalion of the Gelezinis Vilkas (Iron Wolf) Brigade. On October 22, 1993, the Kaunas Motorized Landing Battalion was named after the Third Infantry Regiment. Vytautas the Great and the regimental motto "To you, Fatherland - our strength and life" was adopted.

However, the real history of the rangers begins in 1995, when the battalion became subordinate not to the brigade, but to the commander of the army, and it was named after the Jaeger battalion. Vytautas the Great. For the training of the military personnel of the battalion, the US special forces program began to be used. The structure of the battalion began to meet such requirements. Until that moment, the battalion performed infantry tasks, but after the changes in the structure of the battalion, the team using small unit tactics became the largest active unit. At the same time, preparations began for reconnaissance and sabotage missions. When recruiting for Alpha Company, which consisted exclusively of professionals, specific requirements were presented.

In January 2004, the Jaeger Battalion. Vytautas the Great became an integral part of the Aitvaras Special Operations Unit. The training of professional military under the commando program was introduced. With the entry of the battalion into the MTR, the following tasks were assigned to it: special reconnaissance and surveillance; analysis and assessment of the combat situation; transfer of information to other units of special forces; military aid; support of SOF units during anti-terrorist operations.

Selection. After the reorganization, new servicemen who wanted to get into the battalion were required to pass a general selection in the MTR. Only professional military personnel could participate. After the selection, special basic training of the reconnaissance officer, specialized training (scuba diving, parachute jumps, descent from buildings and from a helicopter), and lessons in the tactics of small units began to be carried out. The battalion personnel were divided into 4 specialized teams according to the structure of the combat squadron: free-fall paratroopers, a water operations team, heavy weapons teams and a combat team in winter conditions or in the mountains. Battalion fighters also began to be trained in traditional military specialties: grenade launcher, machine gunner, signalman. Much attention was paid to the training of snipers. Thanks to the extreme conditions of training and selfless work, the huntsmen have become elite soldiers.

Armament. The main vehicle is specially made Land Rover Defender all-terrain vehicles, the weapons are reinforced (automatic grenade launchers, mortars adapted to support the intervention). For operations on the water, commando combat boats began to be used, and for operations from the air and transportation, special operations helicopters and parachutes began to be used. The rangers were equipped with special communications equipment, surveillance equipment, satellite radio stations, computer equipment, targeting equipment, and a global positioning system (GPS).

Traditions of the Jaeger Battalion. Vytautas the Great

The word "huntsman" in German means "hunter, shooter." In the 18-19 centuries. Chasseurs, along with line infantrymen and grenadiers, were part of the infantry military units. For the first time huntsmen are mentioned during the 30th war (1618-1648). In the army of the Principality of Brandenburg, the best shooters of each company were called chasseurs. Jaegers were special teams of shooters. They were staffed with foresters and their children, as well as well-aimed warriors. Jaegers were required to navigate well in the forest, to shoot accurately. In 1775, after the military reform in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the former banner (company) of the Janissaries was transformed into a company of rangers, subordinate to the Grand Hetman. The banner consisted of 87 soldiers. Uniform - green caftan (tunic), bright red cuffs, white waistcoat and culottes, golden epaulettes. For the battalion, the name of rangers is a kind of sign of historical continuity.

A special tradition of the Jaeger Battalion is the awarding of the title of Honorary Jaeger. Only the best huntsmen can earn this name. The title and the right to wear the "Honorary Jaeger" patch could be received by any fighter, regardless of appointment or transfer to the reserve. The "Huntsman" patch, in yellow letters on a green background, is intended for daily uniforms, and in silver letters on a khaki background, for field uniforms.

Another tradition of the battalion since 1997 is the presentation of an officer's Jaeger dagger. The metal part of the handle of this dagger is made in the form of a stylized falcon's head.

Beret cockade

It depicts a falcon, a hunting horn, a dagger and lightning. Metal-colored falcon and horn, silver-colored dagger with black lacquer handle, yellow lacquer lightning bolt, green background of the cockade. The hunting horn (bugle) symbolizes the subordination of fighters and units, the falcon - vigilance and speed, as well as the readiness to attack the enemy from the air. The steel dagger symbolizes the hardness of the huntsman, and the lightning symbolizes a lightning-fast reaction to the actions of the enemy.

Service emblem

The blue cape symbolizes the continuity in the battalion of the traditions of the troops of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Against the background of the cape on the red shield are the heraldic signs of Vytautas the Great: in the upper part of the shield there is a Latin letter V, on the right - a crossed sword and a spearhead.

Special Purpose Service (SON)

The modern SON began to take shape as part of the Volunteer Territory Protection Service (DSOK). At that time, several officers were sent to the French Gendarmerie Counter-Terrorism Unit (GIGN) to gain experience. Upon their return to Lithuania, they were instructed, in confidentiality, to set up an anti-terrorism service within the FLLC, called the Reconnaissance Detachment. The informal formation of the service began in 1995. For about two years, volunteer military personnel created a selection and training program. On April 7, 1997, the Special Purpose Division of the DSOK was formally established.

Over time, the name of the service and subordination changed, and after a few years, given the emerging tasks and the need for expansion, the department was renamed the Service and became directly subordinate to the commander of the army. Since the inception of the Service, the members of the SOJ have acted as they describe themselves: "<…>we collected and analyzed information about the special forces of different countries, their structure, use, and looked for the most suitable option for Lithuania. At the same time, the selection of personnel was carried out, various exercises were carried out, preparations for the implementation of special tasks, the search for weapons and equipment that were most suitable for the fighters of the Lithuanian special forces.

At the same time, intensive work was carried out, the fighters of the service carried out personal protection of the guests of the Ministry of Defense of the Territory and performed other tasks within the country. When Lithuania joined Operation Durable Peace in Afghanistan in 2002, the SON troops successfully fought for two years as part of the Aitvaras Expeditionary Squadron. The allies highly appreciated the level of training of the military and their ability to carry out special operations. When the Special Operations Unit was formed in 2004, the SON became an integral part of it.

Tasks. The Special Purpose Service is a counter-terrorist unit of the Lithuanian army, which performed special tasks and carried out special operations.

Military personnel who had served one year in the Jaeger Battalion, or, in exceptional cases, participated in international missions, could participate in the selection. The military personnel who passed the selection were sent for specialized training. Those wishing to become "green" had to go through several stages of selection and basic training. The fighters who passed the selection began to engage in a basic training program that took a total of about one year and included various courses, depending on the specialization. The applicant could not get into the combat team until all these stages were completed.

Armament. In addition to standard weapons, SOF fighters used tools more adapted to the conduct of counter-terrorist operations. They were provided with uniforms designed for close combat, special impenetrable vests, shields, helmets with visors, searchlights. Depending on the task, sniper weapons of various calibers could be chosen - German, Finnish production, etc. And among light weapons, MP-5N submachine guns (marine version), MP-5AD - with a silencer were used; gas grenades for various purposes and various capacities. The SON arsenal included various grenade launchers, machine guns, automatic rifles, day and night sights. Weapons and ammunition were selected to best suit the conditions of the operation (eg non-ricochet ammunition for indoor operations). The SON fighters have proven themselves well and have accumulated considerable experience in testing the latest weapons.

Traditions of the Special Forces. "Greens"

A SON service fighter is called "green". This name was not chosen by chance. It is connected with an appeal to the history of Lithuania and drawing parallels with the armed resistance fighters of the Soviet government in 1944-53. The current "greens" have kept in mind the post-war freedom fighters, not only in name. The organization, discipline, determination and self-sacrifice of the post-war resistance fighters have become excellent examples and motivation for modern "greens" who seek to continue the valiant traditions.

Military salute in memory of the soldiers of the post-war period

The name "green" has been officially used since 1996, as a tribute to the anti-Soviet resistance that lasted more than 10 years. This name contains the idea of determination to find a way to act under the most unfavorable circumstances, resolutely striving for the outlined goal.

Not all SON fighters have gone green. So only those who had a patch were named, which testified to the highest military qualification, impeccable training, psychological stability and moral stability. Belonging to the "green" - the highest mark of a fighter SON, assigned only after a long selection and intensive specialized training. When handing over the patch, the commander uttered a word that had a deep meaning: "do not let you down." This meant that the soldier must constantly feel responsible to his land, family, comrades and justify the trust of the state and the military command. SON also acquired its own emblem, which depicts arrows, meaning long-range combat (sniper operations), a grenadier symbol - a grenade, symbolizing the use of explosives during operations, as well as a sword - a symbol of close combat (knives, pistols).

Underwater Action Command (KPD)

The beginning of the Underwater Action Command (KPD) was laid in 1990. With the arrival of professional divers in the Volunteer Territory Protection Service (VSS), their efforts began to create a training program for new swimmers, accumulated literature, diving equipment and equipment. In 1992, these divers were transferred to the Diving Team of the Reconnaissance Detachment of the Klaipeda Battalion (modern Dragoon Battalion) of the "Geležinis Vilkas" (Iron Wolf) Brigade. At that time, a training program for military divers was being created, important tasks were being carried out: demining, searching for explosives. In 1996, the Reconnaissance Detachment was renamed the Combat Swimmer Detachment. In 2001, military divers became part of the Navy and became known as the Underwater Action Command (KPD).

In 1996, cooperation with the Special Purpose Service began, and the exchange of experience in performing tasks on the water began. Soon, the selection of combat swimmers was organized on the basis of SON. The military personnel who passed the selection were sent to serve in the KPD, where their training continued. After the events of September 11, 2001, the United States began the creation of a Special Operations Unit, which was to include the CPD. Thus, the KPD, together with the fighters of Aitvaras, began to prepare for anti-terrorist operations. Somewhat later, at the operational level, the KPD became subordinate to the commander of the SOF.

KPD tasks: team members are trained to conduct reconnaissance and sabotage operations, protect water bodies from enemy sabotage, conduct land reconnaissance with disembarkation from the water, underwater demining, inspection of ships. Thus, combat divers were trained to perform special operations both in water and on land.

The selection of combat divers for the unit was carried out in several stages. First of all, candidates had to pass the general selection in the MTR. After that, the basic training of military divers began. The fighters who graduated from this course were waiting for specialization: the opportunity to become a ship diver, an underwater demining specialist or a combat swimmer.

Armament. For operations on the water (associated with special reconnaissance, mining and demining of dangerous objects), combat swimmers used closed and open cycle diving apparatus, wet and dry type suits, fins, underwater orientation equipment, powerful boarding boats, waterproof weapons and radio communications. The main weapons of divers adapted for carrying under water are combat knives, Heckler & Koch MP-5N submachine guns (marine version).

Special Operations Unit (SOP)

Military helicopter pilots began to carry out reconnaissance operations together with rangers since 1995. The specialization of helicopter pilots in the field of special operations has been introduced since 1997 in cooperation with the fighters of the special forces department of the Volunteer Guards of the Territory (VOK). Until 2003, the Special Operations Unit of the Helicopter Squadron was formed, to which helicopters and pilots were assigned.

The purpose of the PPS is to ensure mobility, efficiency and surprise in the performance of tasks. The functions of the link are reconnaissance from the air, the transportation of SON fighters, air support.

Selection. When performing special operations, the helicopter team consisted of a commander, an on-board technician and a machine gunner (in accordance with the specifics of the task).

Technique and weapons. The special operations unit used the Mi-8 and Mi-8 MTV helicopters operated by the Lithuanian Air Force. Helicopters used in special operations did not have night vision devices, the communication system was imperfect. Mi-8 helicopters were armed with aircraft missiles designed to destroy ground targets. Machine guns were mounted on both sides of the helicopter, and high-speed six-barreled machine guns could also be mounted.

The Unwritten Rules of Special Forces

Lithuanian special forces, like their counterparts in other countries, have their own code of honor. Fighters are guided by unwritten but important rules. The Lithuanian special forces are trying to combine two often contradictory principles: freedom and discipline. A fighter must be proactive, have inner freedom and independence of thought, and at the same time be able to obey and respect both higher and lower ranks. In all parts of the special purpose, the tradition of "baptism", a kind of initiation, which, of course, is kept secret, has spread. The principle of honor for the fighters of the Connection was the statement: "if at least one fighter is in the ranks, then the unit is alive and will fight to the end."

Special forces in international missions

Since 1994, the fighters of the Jaeger Battalion have been constantly taking part in peacekeeping missions in Croatia and Kosovo, and since 2002, in Operation Durable Peace in Afghanistan. The mission in Kosovo and the mission in Afghanistan differed significantly in their nature and tasks. In Kosovo, the huntsmen did not have the opportunity to test their strength as special forces soldiers. Our commandos passed their baptism of fire in Afghanistan, performing their mission as part of the Aitvaras squadron, along with the "green" and combat swimmers. Such interaction of fighters guaranteed the success and effectiveness of the Afghan mission. In this mission, especially modern weapons and equipment were used, which in Kosovo could only dream of.

The composition of the Aitvaras squadrons heading to Afghanistan was different. The first two squadrons included the "greens" from the SON and the huntsmen, and the third mostly consisted of the "greens" and the combat swimmers of the KPD. During the first mission, which lasted 6 months, the fighters of the squadron carried out mainly combat reconnaissance, although there were also direct actions. The third squadron carried out much more intensive operations, of which only a smaller part was special intelligence, and everything else was direct action (when the specific goal and task are known; the operation is unexpected and quick, designed to detain or neutralize the intended object). The information collected by the Lithuanians during special intelligence operations mainly concerned terrorist groups and their commanders.

Armament of special operational troops

Different weapons were used for different tasks. We tried to buy what is modern and optimally corresponds to the price. Compared to similar parts of other countries, Lithuanian fighters used adequate weapons. They tried to abandon the old weapons that the entire army used to use, for example, the Soviet Kalashnikovs, to use them only during exercises, and use new samples adapted for special operations as the main weapon. The main thing is that the weapon is accurate and reliable.

MTR soldiers began to use Glock-17 pistols, Heckler & Koch MP-5 submachine guns (with and without a silencer), Browning machine guns, Karl Gustav anti-tank grenade launchers, 60-mm mortars, disposable and underbarrel grenade launchers, modern German G-36 automatic rifles (various modifications), Sako and Gol Sniper sniper rifles, rangefinders, holographic sights, European-made night vision devices that meet the requirements of special operations officers, radio communications (Harris radio stations) that can be used to conduct negotiations both in the air and on the ground, over unlimited distances and in various natural conditions. To overcome obstacles, the use of climbing equipment has begun.

The fighters adapted the equipment and ammunition for themselves in the way that was convenient for them. It was easy to change the configuration of the tactical vest, as it is more flexible and made taking into account the wishes of the fighters. It was possible to place grenades, shops, radio communications, first-aid kits, and flasks on it in various ways. True, the MTR fighters did not use flasks familiar to our infantrymen, but “camel humps” (English camel back), which were attached to their backs, and water was supplied through a special tube. An integral part of the equipment of the MTR fighters is bulletproof Kevlar helmets (they could have been with a special wide visor to help protect themselves from shots), as well as bulletproof vests (in exceptional cases, vests of the highest 4 degree of protection were used, corresponding to 7.62 mm shot from AK). The fighters could not do without such special means as grenades (sound and light), explosives (in order to provide a passage, for example, to destroy a wall - but not to destroy the people inside), gases - intoxicating, disorienting, but not destroying impact.

Portal for the student. Self-training

Prerequisites for the emergence of special forces World background