Editing Lithuanian Armed Forces

{{Short description|Armed forces of Lithuania}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{bots|deny=Citation bot}}
{{Infobox national military
| name = Lithuanian Armed Forces
| native_name = {{lang|lt|Lietuvos ginkluotosios pajėgos}}
| image = [[File:Brass Insignia of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.svg|150px]]
| alt = 
| caption = Insignia of the Lithuanian Armed Forces
| image2 = Lithuanian Armed Forces Battle flag (obverse).png
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = Flag of the Lithuanian Armed Forces
| motto = 
| founded = 23 November 1918 <br /> (first armed formations {{Circa|12th century}})
| current_form = 25 April 1990
| disbanded = 
| branches = {{nowrap|[[File:Insignia of Lithuanian Land Forces.png|25px]] [[Lithuanian Land Force|Land Force]]}}<br />{{nowrap|[[File:Insignia of Lithuanian Air Force.png|25px]] [[Lithuanian Air Force|Air Force]]}}<br />{{nowrap|[[File:Project Insignia of the Lithuanian Naval Force.svg|25px]] [[Lithuanian Navy|Navy]]}}<br />{{nowrap|[[File:Insignia of Lithuanian SOF.png|25px]] [[Lithuanian Special Operations Force|Special Operations Force]]}}<br />
''War time only'':<br />{{nowrap|[[Image:Insignia_of_Šaulių_sąjunga.svg|25px]] [[Lithuanian Riflemen's Union|Riflemen's Union]]}}<br />{{nowrap|[[Image:VSTbigLT.png|25px]] [[Public Security Service (Lithuania)|Public Security Service]]}}<br />{{nowrap|[[Image:Lithuanian_State_Border_Guard_Service_emblem.svg|25px]] [[Lithuanian State Border Guard Service|State Border Guard Service]]}}
| headquarters = [[Vilnius]]
| flying_hours = 
| website = {{Official website}}
<!-- Leadership -->| commander-in-chief = {{flagicon image|Flag of the President of Lithuania.svg}} [[President of Lithuania|President]] [[Gitanas Nausėda]]
| commander-in-chief_title = 
| chief minister = 
| chief minister_title = 
| minister = {{flagicon image|Lithuanian Minister of Defence's flag.svg}} [[Dovilė Šakalienė]]
| minister_title = [[Ministry of National Defence (Lithuania)|Minister of National Defence]]
| commander = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Chief of Defence of Lithuania.jpg}} [[Full general|General]] [[Raimundas Vaikšnoras]]
| commander_title = [[Chief of Defence (Lithuania)|Chief of Defence]]
<!-- Manpower -->| age = 18–55
| conscription = 9 months
| manpower_data = 2016 est.
| manpower_age = 16–49
| available = 890,074
| available_f = 875,780
| fit = 669,111
| fit_f = 724,803
| reaching = 20,425
| reaching_f = 19,527
| active = 23,000 (2021){{Sfn|Hackett|2022|p=124}}{{Ref label|a|a|none}}<br />14,150 paramilitary (2021){{Sfn|Hackett|2022|p=125}}{{Ref label|b|b|none}}
| ranked = 
| reserve = Active reserve 28,000, total reserve 104,000 (2021){{Sfn|Hackett|2022|p=124}}
| deployed = <!-- Financial -->
| amount = €3.23 billion <br/>(2025)<ref name="lt-mil-budget">{{cite web|title=Budget Statement|url=https://kam.lt/faktai-ir-skaiciai/gynybos-biudzetas/|access-date=11 March 2025|website=Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania}}</ref>
| percent_GDP = 3.9% (2025)<ref name="lt-mil-budget"/>
<!-- Industrial -->| domestic_suppliers = 
| foreign_suppliers = {{flag|Denmark}}<br />{{flag|Finland}}<br />{{flag|France}}<br />{{flag|Germany}}<br />{{flag|Israel}}<br />{{flag|Norway}}<br />{{flag|Poland}}<br />{{flag|Spain}}<br />{{flag|Sweden}}<br />{{flag|United Kingdom}}<br />{{flag|United States}}
| imports = 
| exports = <!-- Related articles -->
| history = 1918–20 [[Lithuanian Wars of Independence]]<br  />1944–53 [[Lithuanian partisans]]<br />1994 [[Bosnian War]]  <br />2001–2021 [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]<br />2003–2008 [[Invasion of Iraq]]<br />2004–Present [[Kosovo Force]]<br />2013–2024 [[EUTM Mali]]  <br />2013–Present [[Operation Atalanta]]<br />2014 [[Operation Sangaris]]<br />2015–present [[EU Navfor Med]]<br />2017–2023 [[MINUSMA]]
| ranks = [[Lithuanian military ranks and insignia|Lithuanian military ranks]]
}}
{{Military of Lithuania}}

The '''Lithuanian Armed Forces''' ({{Langx|lt|Lietuvos ginkluotosios pajėgos}}) are the [[military]] of [[Lithuania]]. The Lithuanian Armed Forces consist of the [[Lithuanian Land Forces]], the [[Lithuanian Navy]], the [[Lithuanian Air Force]] and the [[Lithuanian Special Operations Force]]. In wartime, the [[Lithuanian State Border Guard Service]] (which is under the supervision of the [[Ministry of the Interior (Lithuania)|Ministry of the Interior]] in peacetime) becomes part of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

The purpose of the Lithuanian Armed Forces are to be the principal deterrent against any security threat to the nation. Lithuania's defence system is based on the concept of "total and unconditional defence" mandated by Lithuania's ''National Security Strategy''. The goal of Lithuania's defence policy is to prepare their society for general defence and to integrate Lithuania into Western security and defence structures. The [[Ministry of National Defence (Lithuania)|Ministry of National Defence]] is responsible for combat forces, [[search and rescue]], and intelligence operations.<ref name=WB>{{cite web|url=http://www.kam.lt/EasyAdmin/sys/files/BK-En1.pdf|title=Lietuvos Respublikos krašto apsaugos ministerija :: Titulinis|access-date=24 December 2014}}{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Male [[conscription]] is in place since 2015, when it was reinstated after being ended in 2008, due to concerns about the [[Second Cold War|geopolitical environment]] in light of the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]].{{Sfn|Čepinskytė|2016}}

In early 2022, Lithuania's defence budget for 2022 was approximately [[Euro|€]]1.05 billion,{{Sfn|Hackett|2022|p=124}}{{Ref label|c|c|none}} but it was increased to €1.5 billion on 17 March 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last=LRT.lt |first=BNS |date=2022-03-17 |title=Lithuania raises defence spending to 2.52 percent of GDP |work=[[Lithuanian National Radio and Television|LRT]] |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1647017/lithuania-raises-defence-spending-to-2-52-percent-of-gdp |access-date=29 March 2022 |archive-date=29 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329184336/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1647017/lithuania-raises-defence-spending-to-2-52-percent-of-gdp |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2024, the budget was raised to €2.3 billion and is projected to reach 3.03% of GDP.<ref name="lt-mil-budget"/>

==History==
<!-- linked from redirect [[Military history of Lithuania]] -->

=== Grand Ducal Lithuanian Army ===
[[File:Kiejstut seal 1379.PNG|thumb|Seal of [[Kęstutis|Grand Duke Kęstutis]] from 1379 depicting a grand ducal infantryman]]
The Lithuanian military originates in the [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania|Grand Ducal Lithuanian]] Army, active from the 13th century to 1795.<ref name="lt-military-medieval">{{cite web|last1=Gaidys|first1=Arvydas|last2=Knezys|first2=Stasys|last3=Spečiūnas|first3=Vytautas|title=Lietuvos Didžiosios Kunigaikštystės kariuomenė|url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-didziosios-kunigaikstystes-kariuomene/|access-date=2 May 2021|publisher=[[Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija]]|language=lt|archive-date=14 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614080458/https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-didziosios-kunigaikstystes-kariuomene/|url-status=live}}</ref> After the [[Union of Lublin]] in 1569, the Lithuanian Army remained equal to the Polish [[Crown Army|Crown army]] in the [[military of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]] until the [[Third Partition of Poland|Third Partition]] in 1795. The Grand Ducal Lithuanian Army fought in many major battles, such as the [[Battle of Blue Waters]] (1362/63), [[Battle of Grunwald]] (1410), [[Battle of Orsha]] (1514) and [[Battle of Kircholm]] (1605).

Similarly to other [[medieval European]] states, the army was [[Pospolite ruszenie|raised by the nobility]] during the Late Middle Ages. By the 17th century, it was mostly outclassed by professional forces and a [[standing army]] was instituted.

==== 13th century ====
From the 12th century's end and into the 13th century, Lithuania frequently went to war against the western and southwestern [[Kievan Rus'|Rus']] states, [[Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia|Kingdom of Galicia-Volhynia]] and [[Duchy of Masovia]], and also devastated the lands along the [[Daugava]] and elsewhere.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> From the early 1200s, Lithuanians fought against the [[Swordbrothers]], then from 1237 against the [[Livonian Order]], and from the second half of the 13th century's against the State of the Teutonic Order.'''<ref name="lt-military-medieval" />''' Fighting on Lithuania's northern and western frontiers was unceasing, the Lithuanian state expanded southwards and eastwards in the [[Late Middle Ages]].'''<ref name="lt-military-medieval" />''' The Lithuanian army was mobile, as it had to fight on many fronts: the [[State of the Teutonic Order]] to the west, the Livonian Order to the north, the [[Golden Horde]] and its vassal [[Muscovy (Grand Duchy)|Muscovy]] to the east, and the [[Tatars|Tatar]] khanates to the south.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> According to 13th-century sources, Lithuanian soldiers rode horses on military expeditions but fought on foot, arranged in three rows during battles.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> The best-armed and most experienced fought in the front, while the least experienced and lightly armed were in the last row.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> Furthermore, the Lithuanians were skilled at fighting using spears, especially on horseback. The earliest written mention of such tactics, from 1208, says that Lithuanians on horses threw spears at their enemies.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Šmidtas|first1=Eligijus|date=2019|title=Su kokia kavalerija Lietuva pasitiko kryžiuočius XIII amžiuje?|url=https://www.journals.vu.lt/lietuvos-istorijos-studijos/article/download/15923/15011|journal=Lietuvos istorijos studijos|publisher=[[Vilnius University Press]]|page=15|access-date=21 June 2021|archive-date=27 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727175301/https://www.journals.vu.lt/lietuvos-istorijos-studijos/article/download/15923/15011/|url-status=live}}
*{{cite journal
|last1=Vitkūnas
|first1=Manvydas
|date=2011
|title=Kada lietuviai pradėjo kautis raiti?
|url=https://www.lmaleidykla.lt/ojs/index.php/lituanistica/article/download/2124/1015/
|journal=Lituanistica
|publisher=[[General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania]] [[Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences]]
|page=59
|access-date=21 June 2021
|archive-date=24 June 2021
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205242/https://www.lmaleidykla.lt/ojs/index.php/lituanistica/article/download/2124/1015/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

Although the Germans initially had superior weaponry in the 13th century, the Lithuanians won the Battles of [[Battle of Saule|Saule]] (1236), [[Battle of Durbe|Durbe]] (1260), [[Battle of Karuse|Karuse]] (1270) and the [[Battle of Aizkraukle|Aizkraukle]] (1279).<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> However they were less successful against enemy fortifications, especially brick castles.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> Eventually the front lines stabilised over time, and the one against the Livonian Order more or less followed the modern [[Latvia–Lithuania border]], while the one against the Teutonic Order was close to the [[Nemunas]].<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /><ref name=":0">
{{Cite web
|title=Nuo seniausių laikų iki XX a. pradžios {{!}} Lietuvos kariuomenė
|url=https://www.kariuomene.lt/kas-mes-esame/istorija/nuo-seniausiu-laiku-iki-xx-a.-pradzios/23525
|url-status=dead
|access-date=2021-10-12
|website=kariuomene.lt
|language=Lithuanian
|archive-date=25 October 2021
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025163121/https://kariuomene.lt/kas-mes-esame/istorija/nuo-seniausiu-laiku-iki-xx-a.-pradzios/23525}}</ref> A castle system fortified the Lithuanian side of the border along the river.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" />

==== 14th century ====
Over the 14th century, the Teutonic and Livonian orders organised raids into Lithuania.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> Lithuanians reciprocated by raiding their respective territories, but the Lithuanian raids were fewer in number.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> The Lithuanians won the [[Battle of Medininkai]] (1320), but lost the [[Battle of Strėva]] (1348).<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> More and more, the Teutonic Order destroyed the Lithuanian castle system along the Nemunas and built their own castles near the Lithuanian ones.'''<ref name="lt-military-medieval" />''' As the German and Livonian orders were constantly reinforced by Christian European countries, it became increasingly difficult to defend Lithuania solely by military means.'''<ref name="lt-military-medieval" />''' A new generation of the Lithuanian Grand Dukes, [[Jogaila]] and [[Vytautas the Great]], used not only military, but also diplomatic and political means, for example [[Christianization of Lithuania#Christianization by Jogaila and Vytautas|Lithuanian baptism]] in 1387, to protect Lithuania.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" />

Meanwhile, on the other side of Lithuania, the Golden Horde's army was destroyed in the [[Battle of Blue Waters]] (1362–1363).<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> In 1368, 1370, and 1372, the Lithuanian Grand Duke [[Algirdas]] led the Grand Ducal Lithuanian Army on military expeditions against Muscovy.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> However, the [[Battle of the Vorskla River|Battle of the Vorksla River]] (1399) was a decisive victory for the Golden Horde.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" />

<gallery class="center" heights="150px" mode="packed">
File:Jan Matejko, Bitwa pod Grunwaldem.jpg|[[Battle of Grunwald]] (1410) was one of the largest in [[medieval Europe]]
</gallery>

==== 15th century ====
Finally, the German Teutonic Order was crushed in the [[Battle of Grunwald]] (1410) (known as Battle of Žalgiris in Lithuanian historiography), which was the largest Middle Age battle in [[Central and Eastern Europe]].<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> In this key battle, the Lithuanian Army was led by Vytautas the Great.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> Under him, the Lithuanian Army attacked the lands of the Republics of [[Pskov Republic|Pskov]], in 1426, and [[Novgorod Republic|Novgorod]], in 1428.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> The Grand Duchy of Lithuania had internal civil wars in the first half of the 15th century.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> The Lithuania Army engaged in [[biological warfare]] already in 1422, when it catapulted manure made from infected victims into an opposing [[Bohemia]]n town as part of the [[Hussite Wars]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Flora |first1=S. J. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r0K0DwAAQBAJ |title=Handbook on Biological Warfare Preparedness |last2=Pachauri |first2=Vidhu |date=2019-10-05 |publisher=Academic Press |isbn=978-0-12-812055-2 |pages=5 |language=en}}</ref> In 1435, [[Sigismund Kęstutaitis]]' army defeated the opposing army, which included troops of the [[Livonian Order]], led by [[Švitrigaila]] in the [[Battle of Wiłkomierz]].<ref name="lt-military-medieval" />

==== 16th century ====
This century was marked by war of Lithuania against Muscovy and the [[Crimean Khanate]], against whom they won the [[Battle of Kletsk]] in 1506.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> The strengthening Grand Duchy of Moscow starting in the late 15th century waged [[Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars|unceasing wars]] over Lithuania's eastern territories.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> In 1514, during the fourth war, the Lithuanians triumphed over the numerically larger Muscovite army in the famous [[Battle of Orsha]].<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> However, Lithuania lost a part of its eastern lands, most notably the strategically important fortress of [[Smolensk]].<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> The Grand Ducal Lithuanian Army fought against Muscovy in the [[Livonian War]] and won against the Muscovite army, twice its size in the [[Battle of Ula]] in 1564.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> Three years into the Livonian War, the [[Treaty of Vilnius (1561)|Treaty of Vilnius]].<ref name=":0" /> made Livonia part of Lithuania in 1561 with the [[Union of Lublin]] concluded in 1569.<ref name=":0" /> In the late 1570s and early 1580s, the Lithuanian and Polish armies cooperated in Stephen Báthory's [[Stephen Báthory#War with Muscovy|incursions into Russia]].<ref name="lt-military-medieval" />

<gallery class="center" heights="150px" mode="packed">
File:Autor nieznany (malarz z kręgu Lukasa Cranacha Starszego), Bitwa pod Orszą.jpg|The victory of the Polish-Lithuanian forces over the [[Grand Duchy of Moscow]] at the [[Battle of Orsha]] in 1514
File:Lithuanian_soldiers_during_the_Battle_of_Žalgiris_reconstruction_3.jpg|Modern reconstruction of the Lithuanian fighters from the 14-15th century
</gallery>

==== 17th century ====
The 17th century was marked by wars against Sweden, the [[Tsardom of Muscovy]] and the [[Ottoman Empire]].<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> The Lithuanian army and the Polish army fought against the Ottoman forces notably at both Battles of Khotyn in [[Battle of Khotyn (1621)|1621]] and [[Battle of Khotyn (1673)|1673]].<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> During the [[Polish–Swedish War (1600–1629)|war with Sweden]] from 1600 to 1629, the Lithuanian army defeated Swedish forces three times their number at the [[Battle of Kircholm]] in 1605.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> However, this war highlighted the Commonwealth's difficulty recruiting and retaining enough troops, better arming its soldiers with firearms and bettering their use.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> Sweden seized a significant part of Livonia as part of [[Swedish Livonia]].<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> In the first half of the 17th century, Smolensk returned to Lithuania following the [[Smolensk War]].<ref name="lt-military-medieval" />

The Commonwealth's military weakness in the middle and late 17th century was evidenced in the [[Deluge (history)|Deluge]].<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> In 1655, the much-smaller Lithuanian army could not defend the Lithuanian capital of [[Vilnius]] against Muscovite attack.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> This was the first time that Vilnius was occupied by a foreign state.<ref name=":0" /> The Swedish and Muscovite armies occupied large parts of Lithuania.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> Nevertheless, Lithuania succeeded in holding out and liberated Vilnius, [[Kaunas]], [[Samogitia]] and the eastern Voivodeships, except for [[Smolensk Voivodeship]] and other parts.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> Militarily speaking, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was weakening however.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" />

==== 18th century ====
[[File:63. Regiment konny dragonów (Leib Dragoner Regiment).JPG|thumb|A soldier and officer of the Grand Ducal Lithuanian Army's Life Dragoons Regiment, which formed part of the army's Royal Guards (1775)]]

During the [[Great Northern War]] the Grand Ducal Lithuanian Army no longer defended the country and the [[Magnates of Poland and Lithuania|Lithuanian magnates]]' private armies supported different sides.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> Throughout the 18th century, many [[Confederation (Poland–Lithuania)|confederations in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]] sought different political goals.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> The [[Bar Confederation]] (1768–1772), which happened partly in Lithuania, attempted but failed to stem the increasing influence of Imperial Russia and the [[First partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth]] followed.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> In the face of the possible loss of independence, military reforms in the [[Four Years' Sejm]] (1788–1792) significantly expanded the Lithuanian army, which reached a strength of 17,500.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /><ref name=":0" /> Attempts to make the Commonwealth's armies equal those of neighbouring [[absolute monarchy|absolute monarchies]] were unsuccessful and the unsuccessful [[War of 1792]] resulted in the [[Second Partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth|Second Partition]].<ref name="lt-military-medieval" />

The Polish and Lithuanian armies put up a spirited fight against the [[Imperial Russian Army]] and the [[Prussian Army]] in the [[Kościuszko Uprising]].<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> In addition to regular forces, many ''ad hoc'' units such as the [[Vilnian National Guard]] also fought, as well as many irregular units.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> In the end, the Uprising was defeated and much of the remainder of the Grand Ducal Lithuanian Army was lost in the [[Battle of Praga]] on 4 November 1794.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" /> With the uprising defeated, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the [[Crown of the Kingdom of Poland|Kingdom of Poland]] ended with the [[Third Partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth|Third Partition]], and their respective armies being disbanded.<ref name="lt-military-medieval" />

===Interwar and post-war periods===
{{Bar chart|float=right|title=Size of active Lithuanian Army during the interwar|label_type=Date|data_type=Total number|data_max=90,000
|label3=5 March 1919|data3=3,000|comment3={{Sfn|Vaičenonis|2002|p=144}}
|label4=24 January 1920|data4=28,903|comment4={{Sfn|Vaičenonis|2002|p=150}}
|label5=8 September 1920|data5=27,802|comment5={{Sfn|Vaičenonis|2002|p=150}}
|label6=1 January 1921|data6=43,996|comment6={{Sfn|Vaičenonis|2002|p=151}}
|label7=1 November 1924|data7=13,241|comment7={{Sfn|Vaičenonis|2002|p=152}}
|label8=1 May 1926|data8=7,894|comment8={{Sfn|Vaičenonis|2002|p=152}}
|label9=1 January 1928|data9=16,483|comment9={{Sfn|Vaičenonis|2002|p=158}}
|label10=1 December 1934|data10=19,784|comment10={{Sfn|Vaičenonis|2002|p=158}}
|label11=1 March 1938|data11=25655|comment11={{Sfn|Vaičenonis|2002|p=170}}
|label12=5 September 1939|data12=37,027|comment12={{Sfn|Vaičenonis|2002|p=172}}
|label13=30 September 1939|data13=89,470|comment13={{Sfn|Vaičenonis|2002|p=172}}
|label14=1 March 1940|data14=31,895|comment14={{Sfn|Vaičenonis|2002|p=146}}}}

After Lithuania's [[Act of Independence of Lithuania|restoration]] on 16 February 1918, the country immediately began creating an army.<ref name="lt-military-interwar">{{cite web
|url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-ginkluotosios-pajegos-1918-1940/
|title=Lietuvos ginkluotosios pajėgos 1918–1940
|publisher=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija
|language=lt
|access-date=2 May 2021
|archive-date=4 May 2021
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504180953/https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-ginkluotosios-pajegos-1918-1940/
|url-status=live
}}</ref> The Ministry of Defence's first order, issued on 23 November 1918, is considered to mark the establishment of the modern Lithuanian Armed Forces.<ref name="lt-military-hist">
{{cite web
|url=https://kariuomene.lt/en/who-we-are/history/23563
|title=The fight for Lithuanian statehood. From ancient times to NATO
|access-date=3 May 2021
|archive-date=3 May 2021
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503115335/https://kariuomene.lt/en/who-we-are/history/23563
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> The newly-formed army almost immediately fought [[Lithuanian Wars of Independence|three wars of independence]]. Having won the [[Lithuanian–Soviet War]] and the [[Lithuanian Wars of Independence#War against the Bermontians|war against the Bermontians]], Lithuania lost large chunks of territory, including its capital [[Vilnius]] in the [[Polish–Lithuanian War]]. Armoured equipment in the [[interwar period]],primarily consisted of [[light tank]]s and [[Armored car (military)|armored car]]s: French [[Renault FT|Renault FT-17]]s, British [[Light tanks of the United Kingdom#Commercial Carden-Loyd tanks|Vickers Carden-Loyd M1934s and M1936]]s, Swedish [[Landsverk L180, L181 and L182|Landsverk-181]], and German [[Ehrhardt E-V/4]].<ref name="lt-military-interwar" /> In 1935, the country opened an advanced [[Military Science|military research]] laboratory, specialising in chemical materials for ammunition as well as defence against [[chemical warfare]].<ref>{{cite web 
|title=Tyrimų laboratorija 
|url=https://modernizmasateiciai.lt/tyrimu-laboratorija/ 
|website=Modernizmasateiciai.lt 
|access-date=4 February 2022 
|language=lt 
|date=3 February 2019 
|archive-date=4 February 2022 
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204164912/https://modernizmasateiciai.lt/tyrimu-laboratorija/ 
|url-status=live 
}}</ref> The construction of the laboratory was supervised by [[Juozas Vėbra]]. In 1940, Lithuania had a [[Lithuanian Air Force#1919–1940|considerable Air Force]], consisting of 118 aircraft with about half of them designed and produced locally. During the [[World War II]], Lithuania was invaded by [[Resistance in Lithuania during World War II|both Nazis and Soviets]], which eventually concluded in [[Occupation of the Baltic states|Soviet occupation]]. The Lithuanian Armed Forces transformed into the [[Lithuanian People's Army]] in 1940 under the [[People's Government of Lithuania]].<ref>{{cite web 
|last1=Knezys 
|first1=Stasys 
|title=Lietuvos liaudies kariuomenė 
|url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-liaudies-kariuomene/ 
|website=[[Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija]] 
|access-date=28 January 2022 
|language=lt 
|archive-date=28 January 2022 
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128102847/https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-liaudies-kariuomene/ 
|url-status=live 
}}</ref> Despite [[Soviet deportations from Lithuania]], [[Lithuanian partisans|armed Lithuanian resistance]] lasted until the 1950s.

<gallery class="center" heights="150px" mode="packed">
File:Tankai_Renault-FT-17.jpg|Lithuanian [[Renault FT|Renault FT-17]] tanks in 1924
File:Lietuvos kariuomene 1938.Army of Lithuania in1938.jpg|Lithuanian Army in 1938
File:ANBO-III 05.jpg|Lithuanian design [[ANBO III]] aircraft from 1930s
</gallery>

===Restoration and NATO===
[[File:Operation Atlantic Resolve 141030-Z-SR689-011.jpg|thumb|Lithuanian soldiers shaking hands with the [[United States Army|American soldiers]] during the [[Operation Atlantic Resolve]] in 2014]]
Following the [[Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania|restoration of independence]], the defence forces were formally reestablished on 25 April 1990 with the creation of the Department of National Defence. After the [[January Events]], the [[Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces|Voluntary National Defence Service]] was formed of lightly armed volunteers. The Lithuanian Armed Forces were officially restored on 19 November 1992.<ref name="lt-military-hist"/> [[Western European]] countries, especially Sweden, helped to arm the initial force by selling or donating excess equipment. Lithuania began the modernisation of its military, becoming the first European country to acquire the US-made [[FGM-148 Javelin]] systems in 2001 and the [[FIM-92 Stinger]] systems in 2002.<ref name="lt-military-modern">{{cite web|url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-ginkluotosios-pajegos-po-nepriklausomybes-atkurimo/|title=Lietuvos ginkluotosios pajėgos po nepriklausomybės atkūrimo|publisher=Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija|language=lt|access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504195518/https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/lietuvos-ginkluotosios-pajegos-po-nepriklausomybes-atkurimo/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lithuania applied for [[Member states of NATO|NATO membership]] in 1994 and eventually [[Enlargement of NATO|joined the alliance]] in 2004. It has modernised its armed forces and participated in various international missions including the [[International Security Assistance Force|NATO-led mission in Afghanistan]]. [[Conscription]] ended in September 2008, but was reintroduced in 2015 due to deteriorating [[Cold War II|geopolitical environment]] after the [[2014–15 Russian military intervention in Ukraine|Russia's military intervention in Ukraine]].<ref name="Ministry of National Defence, Lithuania">{{Cite news |url=http://www.kam.lt/index.php/en/168627/ |title=Compulsory basic military service discontinued |publisher=Ministry of National Defence|access-date=9 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626111722/http://www.kam.lt/index.php/en/168627 |archive-date=26 June 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Delfi">{{Cite news|url=http://en.delfi.lt/lithuania/defence/conscription-notices-to-be-sent-to-37000-men-in-lithuania.d?id=67940028 |title=Conscription notices to be sent to 37,000 men in Lithuania|access-date=14 May 2015|archive-date=30 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630090709/http://en.delfi.lt/lithuania/defence/conscription-notices-to-be-sent-to-37000-men-in-lithuania.d?id=67940028|url-status=live}}</ref> NATO also responded by establishing the [[NATO Enhanced Forward Presence]] in 2017 with a battlegroup in Lithuania which was led by Germany.<ref>{{cite web|title=NATO's military presence in the east of the Alliance|url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_136388.htm|date=8 July 2024|access-date=11 July 2024|website=NATO}}</ref>

===After the Russian invasion of Ukraine===
[[File:Tank Leopard 2A7 NATO Days 2022 (no marks).png|thumb|[[Leopard 2A8|Leopard 2]] tank with [[Trophy (countermeasure)|EuroTrophy]] [[Active protection system]]]]
After the 2022 [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Lithuania rapidly increased the defence spending, becoming one of the top spenders by GDP in the NATO military alliance.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania pledges to spend at least 3% of GDP on defence|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lithuania-pledges-spend-least-3-gdp-defence-2024-03-21/|date=21 March 2024|agency=Reuters}}</ref> The following years marked major acquisitions, including [[M142 HIMARS]] with the [[ATACMS]] [[tactical ballistic missile]]s, additional [[NASAMS]] medium-range air defence systems and artillery ammunition.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania readies ammunition buys worth $3.4 billion|url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/2023/05/04/lithuania-readies-ammunition-buys-worth-34-billion/|date=4 May 2023|access-date=11 July 2024|website=Defense News}}</ref> In 2023, Lithuanian leadership approved the plans to form an army [[Division (military)|division]], based on the three army brigades.<ref name="army-division" /> As part of the plan, the country also decided to acquire [[Leopard 2]] tanks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania to buy German-made Leopard 2 tanks|url=https://news.err.ee/1609231302/lithuania-to-buy-german-made-leopard-2-tanks|date=24 January 2024|access-date=11 July 2024|website=ERR News}}</ref> In 2023, Germany agreed to deploy a [[brigade]] in Lithuania on a permanent basis.<ref>{{cite web|title=Germany ready to put 4,000 soldiers permanently in Lithuania |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-station-4000-soldiers-permanently-lithuania/|date=26 June 2022|access-date=28 July 2023|website=Politico}}</ref> The [[Bundeswehr]]'s [[45th Panzer Brigade (Bundeswehr)|45th Panzer Brigade]], consisting of ~5,000 troops, is scheduled to be deployed by 2027.<ref>{{cite web|title=Germany sends first soldiers for permanent Lithuania force|url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-sends-first-soldiers-for-permanent-lithuania-force/a-68768490|date=8 April 2024|access-date=11 July 2024|website=Deutsche Welle}}</ref> On 28 January 2025, the [[1st Division (Lithuania)|1st Division]] was re-created.

== Organization ==
[[File:Lithuanian Armed Forces organization 2025.png|thumb|upright=1.0|Structure of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, 2025 (click to enlarge)]]
The [[President of Lithuania]] is the [[commander-in-chief]] of the Lithuanian Armed Forces according to the [[Constitution of Lithuania]]. [[Ministry of National Defence (Lithuania)|Ministry of National Defence]] is directly responsible for the organisation of the defence system.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lietuvos Respublikos krašto apsaugos sistemos organizavimo ir karo tarnybos įstatymas |url=https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/TAIS.56646/asr |access-date=2 May 2021 |publisher=Office of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania |language=lt |archive-date=3 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503115039/https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/TAIS.56646/asr |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Chief of Defence (Lithuania)|Chief of Defence]] ({{langx|lt|Kariuomenės vadas}}) is subordinate to the Minister of National Defence. [[Defence Staff (Lithuania)|Defence Staff]] ({{langx|lt|Gynybos štabas}}) of the Armed Forces is responsible for the preparation of defence and mobilisation plans.<ref name=kar2018>{{cite web |url=https://www.kariuomene.lt/kas-mes-esame/naujienos/reorganizuotas-lietuvos-kariuomenes-jungtinis-stabas-tampa-gynybos-stabu/18011 |title=Reorganizuotas Lietuvos kariuomenės Jungtinis štabas tampa Gynybos štabu |date=2 January 2018 |publisher=Lietuvos kariuomenė |language=lt |access-date=15 April 2021}}</ref>
[[File:„Allied Spirit 2025“ Lithuanian LOGCOM medics.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|Logistics Command medics during „Allied Spirit 2025“ exercise]]
The Lithuanian Armed Forces consist of the Lithuanian Land Force, Lithuanian Air Force, Lithuanian Navy, Lithuanian Special Operations Force and other units:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rekvizitai.lt |title=Lietuvos kariuomenės Karo komendantūrų valdyba |url=https://rekvizitai.vz.lt/imone/lietuvos_kariuomenes_karo_prievoles_ir_komplektavimo_tarnyba/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Rekvizitai.lt |language=lt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-03 |title=Lithuanian Cyber Defence Command opened |url=https://kam.lt/en/lithuanian-cyber-defence-command-opened/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=LR Krašto apsaugos ministerija |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:Allied Spirit '25 - Day 3 (8904368).jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|[[Lithuanian Military Police]] during „Allied Spirit 2025“ exercise]]
Support branches of the Armed Forces:
* [[File:Insignia of TRADOC.png|27x27px]] [[Training and Doctrine Command (Lithuania)|Training and Doctrine Command]];
* [[File:Lithuanian Armed Forces Commandant's Offices Insignia.png|27x27px]] [[Military Commandant's Offices Command (Lithuania)|Military Commandant's Offices Command]];
* [[File:Insignia of CIS Kristupas Radvila Perkūnas Battalion (CYBERCOM).png|27x27px]] Cyber Defence Command;
* [[File:Insignia of Lithuanian LOGCOM.png|27x27px]] Logistics Command;
* [[File:Insignia of Lithuanian Military Ordinariate.png|27x27px]] [[Military Ordinariate of Lithuania|Military Ordinariate]];
* [[File:Insignia of Lithuanian Military Police.png|27x27px]] [[Lithuanian Military Police|Military Police]].

Separate units directly subordinated to the Armed Forces:

* [[File:Insignia of Grand Duke Gediminas Staff Battalion.png|27x27px]] [[Grand Duke Gediminas Staff Battalion]];
** [[File:Insignia of Lithuanian Armed Forces Orchestra.png|26x26px]] [[Lithuanian Armed Forces Headquarters Band]].

Directly subordinated to the [[Chief of Defence (Lithuania)|Chief of Defence]] are the [[Lithuanian Special Operations Force|Special Operations Force]] and Military Police. The Reserve Forces are under command of the [[Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces]]. [[Lithuanian Riflemen's Union]] is a [[paramilitary]] organization that cooperates with the Armed Forces, but it is not part of them. However, during the [[state of war]], its armed formations fall under the command of the Armed Forces. The same applies to the [[Lithuanian State Border Guard Service|State Border Guard Service]] and the [[Public Security Service (Lithuania)|Public Security Service]].<ref>{{cite web
|title=Valstybės sienos ir jos apsaugos įstatymas
|url=https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/TAIS.101063/WwBQQILEBH
|date=5 May 2000
|language=lt
|website=Office of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
|access-date=28 August 2021
|archive-date=28 August 2021
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828165138/https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/TAIS.101063/WwBQQILEBH
|url-status=live
}}
*{{cite web
|title=Viešojo saugumo tarnyba
|url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/viesojo-saugumo-tarnyba/
|website=[[Universal Lithuanian Encyclopedia]]
|access-date=11 August 2021
|archive-date=11 August 2021
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811204248/https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/viesojo-saugumo-tarnyba/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

=== Land Forces ===
{{Main|Lithuanian Land Forces}}
[[File:„Allied Spirit 2025“ Lithuanian 1st Division.jpg|left|thumb|Lithuanian [[1st Division (Lithuania)|1st Division]] soldiers during „Allied Spirit 2025“ exercise]]
The core of the Lithuanian Land Forces structure is the [[Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf]] (MIB "Iron Wolf") consisting of four [[mechanized infantry]] battalions and an [[General Romualdas Giedraitis Artillery Battalion|artillery battalion]], supported by the ''Žemaitija'' [[Motorized infantry]] Brigade, which has three battalions and one artillery battalion as well. The third, ''Aukštaitija'' [[Light Infantry]] Brigade, is a reserve formation with active training. Its command, signal and logistic units are manned by professional soldiers.

The [[Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces|Volunteer Forces]] form another brigade-size force, consisting of six territorial units. Other auxiliary units include ''Juozas Vitkus Engineer Battalion'' and ''[[Juozas Lukša]] Land Forces Training Center''.
[[File:Lithuanian PzH 2000 unit during exercises.jpg|thumb|Lithuanian [[Panzerhaubitze 2000|PzH 2000]] battery of [[General Romualdas Giedraitis Artillery Battalion]] during an exercise]]
[[File:Lithuanian HIMARS battery participating in Operation Baltic Alliance.jpg|thumb|[[1st Division (Lithuania)|1st Division]] [[M142 HIMARS|HIMARS]] battery during Operation „Baltic Alliance“]]
The Lithuanian Land forces use equipment compatible with NATO standards. Since 2007, the standard assault rifle is the German [[Heckler & Koch G36]]. Units are supplied with modern variants of anti-tank weapons ([[M72 LAW]], [[Carl Gustaf 8.4&nbsp;cm recoilless rifle|Carl Gustaf]], [[AT4]], [[FGM-148 Javelin]]) as well as [[man-portable air-defense systems]] ([[PZR Grom]], [[RBS-70]], [[FIM-92 Stinger]]). Modern armoured equipment includes: [[Oshkosh L-ATV]] [[Armored car (military)|armoured car]]s, [[Boxer (armoured fighting vehicle)|Boxer]] [[infantry fighting vehicle]]s (local designation IVF "Vilkas") armed with [[Spike (missile)|Spike-LR]] anti-tank missiles and [[PzH 2000]] [[self-propelled howitzer]]s. Lithuanian Land forces have carried out major modernization and acquired more new weapons and heavier armour.

Lithuania has been restructuring its armed forces so that one-tenth of the Land Forces could at any given time be deployed for international operations, while half of the Land Forces would be prepared to deploy outside Lithuania's borders. The volunteers have already successfully participated in international operations in the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq.

In May 2023, the State Defence Council approved the plan to form an army [[Division (military)|division]], based on the three army brigades.<ref name="army-division">{{cite web|title=Lithuania's State Defence Council backs proposal to create army division|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1983472/lithuania-s-state-defence-council-backs-proposal-to-create-army-division|first=Milena|last=Andrukaitytė|date=8 May 2023|access-date=22 July 2023|website=LRT|archive-date=22 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722184948/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1983472/lithuania-s-state-defence-council-backs-proposal-to-create-army-division|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[1st Division (Lithuania)|1st Division]] would have enhanced capabilities, including new tank, reconnaissance, engineering and artillery battalions.<ref name="army-division"/>

=== Air Force ===

{{Main|Lithuanian Air Force}}

[[File:Eurocopter AS365 + LET L-410.jpg|left|thumb|Lithuanian Air Force helicopter]]

The Lithuanian Air Force (LAF) is an integral part of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The LAF is formed by professional military servicemen and non-military personnel. Units are located at various bases across Lithuania:
*[[Kaunas]] (Headquarters and the [[Airspace Surveillance and Control Command (Lithuania)|Airspace Surveillance and Control Command]]);
*[[Karmėlava]] (Air Space Control Centre);
*[[Nemirseta]] (providing basing for sea search and rescue detachment);
*[[Šiauliai]] (Zokniai Air Base, Air Force Armament and Equipment Repair Depot);
*[[Radviliškis]] ([[Air defence battalion (Lithuania)|Air Defence Battalion]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kariuomene.kam.lt/en/structure_1469/air_force.html|title=Lithuanian Armed Forces :: Structure " Air Force|publisher=Ministry of National Defence, Republic of Lithuania|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017023022/http://kariuomene.kam.lt/en/structure_1469/air_force.html|archive-date=17 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>[[File:Joint Silver Arrow 2023 4.jpg|thumb|Lithuanian Air Force [[Air Defence Battalion (Lithuania)|Air Defence Battalion]] [[NASAMS]] battery during "Joint Silver Arrow 2023" exercise. ]]

The initial formation of the LAF was the 2nd transport squadron with the transfer of 20 [[An-2]] aircraft from civilian to military use, with initial basing at the [[Barysiai Airport]] on 27 April 1992. These were joined by four [[Aero L-39 Albatros|L-39C Albatros]] aircraft to be used by the 1st fighter (training) squadron. These were in addition to [[Mil Mi-8]] helicopters and a short-range transport aircraft [[L-410]], all of which went through a capital overhaul, upgrade and modernisation in the 2000s.

Following the initial acquisitions, the LAF began its aircraft's modernisation by ordering three [[C-27J Spartan]] transporters in 2006. In 2013, three [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin]] helicopters were acquired from France and, in 2020, Lithuania announced an order or four [[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk]] helicopters from the USA. Simultaneously, new medium-range and long-range radars were acquired for the [[Airspace Surveillance and Control Command (Lithuania)|Airspace Surveillance and Control Command]].

Air space is patrolled by jet fighters from other [[NATO members]] and they are based in [[Zokniai Air Base]], near the city of [[Šiauliai]] (see [[Baltic Air Policing]]). The [[external border of the European Union]] (with [[Kaliningrad]] and [[Belarus]]) is patrolled by the Aviation Unit of the Lithuanian [[State Border Guard Service (Lithuania)|State Border Guard Service]] which, since the 2000s, uses helicopters [[EC-120]], [[Eurocopter EC135|EC-135]] and [[EC-145]].

=== Navy ===
{{Main|Lithuanian Navy}}
[[File:P15 Sėlis LNF.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.0|Lithuanian Naval Forces ''Flyvefisken''-class ship ''Sėlis'']]The Navy consists of the Warship Flotilla, the Sea Coastal Surveillance System, the Naval Logistic Service, Training Center and Maritime Rescue Coordination Center. The flotilla is the core component of the Navy and consists of the Mine Countermeasures Squadron, the Patrol Ships Squadron, and the Harbour Boats Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kariuomene.kam.lt/kariuomene/en/structure_1469/naval_force.html|title=Lithuanian Armed Forces :: Structure " Navy|publisher=Ministry of National Defence, Republic of Lithuania|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017003206/http://kariuomene.kam.lt/kariuomene/en/structure_1469/naval_force.html|archive-date=17 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The current [[Commander in Chief]] of the Lithuanian Navy is Flotilla Admiral Giedrius Premeneckas. [[File:Underwater actions team operator of Marine fusiliers battalion (the Lithuanian navy).jpg|thumb|Marine fusiliers Boarding team]]The Naval base and Headquarters are located in the city of [[Klaipėda]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kariuomene.kam.lt/en/structure_1469/naval_force/command_1344.html|title=Lithuanian Armed Forces :: Structure " Navy " Command|publisher=Ministry of National Defence, Republic of Lithuania|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017023019/http://kariuomene.kam.lt/en/structure_1469/naval_force/command_1344.html|archive-date=17 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Navy uses patrol ships for coastal surveillance. The four newly acquired {{sclass|Flyvefisken|patrol vessel|1}}s replaced the older {{sclass|Storm|patrol boat|1}}s and {{sclass2|Grisha|corvette|1}}s.

==== Marine fusiliers ====
From 1 August 2022, in order to eliminate the [[Coastal defence and fortification|coastal and port defense]] gap and perform other functions assigned to the [[marines]], the Naval Forces Port and Coastal Defense Service was established and partially formed by merging the [[Bomb disposal|Explosive Ordnance Disposal]] (EOD) Divers Team and the Naval Forces Logistics Service Security Company into one structure, which includes two infantry ([[fusilier]]) companies. In the process of forming the unit's traditions, the soldiers serving in the unit began to be called marine [[fusilier]]s ([[Marines|marine infantry]]), and the service itself is unofficially called the Fusilier Battalion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-18 |title=Kuršių neriją gins fuzilieriai |url=https://ve.lt/gyvenimas/kursiu-nerija-gins-fuzilieriai |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=ve.lt |language=lt}}</ref>

In April 2025, the Navy announced that the marine unit would be officially renamed the General Kazimieras Nestoras Sapiega Fusiliers Battalion and would continue the traditions of the 7th Fusiliers Regiment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1108003074702145&set=a.630409705794820 |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref>

=== Special Operations Forces ===
{{Main|Lithuanian Special Operations Forces}}
[[File:Lithuanian SOF squadron in Afghanistan.jpg|thumb|Lithuanian Special Forces squadron ''[[Aitvaras]]'' deployed in [[Afghanistan]].|left]]
[[File:YPT and ARAS exercise 2024 04.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|[[Lithuanian Special Operations Forces#Structure and tasks|Special Purpose Unit]] (YPT) operator during joint [[Counterterrorism|counter-terrorism]] exercise with [[ARAS (Lithuania)|ARAS]]. ]]
The Lithuanian Special Operations Forces of Lithuanian Armed Forces have been in operation ''de facto'' since 2002 and it were established ''de jure'' on 3 April 2008, when amendments of National Defence System organisation and military service law came into force.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kam.lt/index.php/en/155312/|title=Ministry of National Defence Republic of Lithuania|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224164317/http://www.kam.lt/index.php/en/155312/|archive-date=24 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Special Operations Forces are responsible for [[special reconnaissance]], [[direct actions]], and military support. They have also in charge of other tasks, e.g., protection of VIPs in peacetime. They are formed by the Special Purpose Service, Vytautas the Great Jaeger Battalion and Combat Divers Service. The Special Operations Forces organization is flexible, which makes it easy to form squadrons intended for specific operations and missions. The Special Operations Forces can be called upon inside the territory of Lithuania when [[Law enforcement agency|law enforcement agencies]] lack or do not have the necessary capabilities to react to terrorist attacks.<ref name="SF">{{cite web|url=http://kariuomene.kam.lt/en/structure_1469/special_forces.html|title=Lithuanian Armed Forces :: Structure " Special Forces|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808201156/http://kariuomene.kam.lt/en/structure_1469/special_forces.html|archive-date=8 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Special Operations Forces Squadron "Aitvaras" was deployed to [[Afghanistan]] for [[Operation Enduring Freedom]]. From 2005 to 2006 its squadrons were on standby as part of the [[NATO Response Force]].<ref name=SF/>

==International cooperation==
[[File:LT BV-206.jpg|thumb|Lithuanian [[Bandvagn 206]] helping an [[Afghan National Police]] vehicle in the snow]]
Lithuania has been a member of [[NATO]] [[military alliance]] since 2004. In the [[European Union]], Lithuanian Armed Forces have also taken part in the [[Nordic Battle Group]] since 2008. Lithuanian Armed Forces also participate in the [[Joint Expeditionary Force]] formed in 2014.

In 2009, to encourage regional cooperation, Lithuania joined the initiative to form the [[Lithuanian–Polish–Ukrainian Brigade]].

===NATO membership===
{{see also|Baltic Air Policing|NATO Enhanced Forward Presence}}

[[File:LT L-39ZA with F-16.jpg|left|thumb|Lithuanian Air Force [[L-39ZA]] with two [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]] [[F-16AM Fighting Falcon]]]]

Soon after the restoration of independence, Lithuania [[Enlargement of NATO|applied for NATO membership]] in January 1994. Together with another six Central and Eastern European countries, Lithuania was invited to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the [[2002 Prague summit]] and became a member of the Alliance in March 2004. Lithuania entered [[NATO]] on full-fledged rights immediately after the procedures of joining the [[North Atlantic Treaty]] were completed and acquired rights to participate in the political decision-making process of the Alliance. Integration into the military structures of NATO became a long-term task of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. [[Iron Wolf Mechanised Infantry Brigade|Mechanised Infantry Brigade "Iron Wolf"]] was affiliated to the [[Danish Division]] based on agreements signed by [[Denmark]] and Lithuania in August 2006. Lithuanian Armed Forces started to boost the Brigade's ability to cooperate with the forces of other NATO members.

[[Baltic Air Policing]] was established by NATO allies since Lithuania and the other [[Baltic states]] do not have capabilities to secure their airspace. Fighter jets of NATO members are permanently deployed in [[Zokniai airport]] near the city [[Šiauliai]] to provide cover for the [[Baltic states]] airspace.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kam.lt/en/news_1098/news_archives/news_archive_2009/news_archive_2009_-_03/after_5_years_in_the_alliance_periphery_or_front_of_nato.html?pbck=0|title=Ministry of National Defence Republic of Lithuania :: News " News archives " News archive 2009 " News archive (2009–03)|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222120914/http://kam.lt/en/news_1098/news_archives/news_archive_2009/news_archive_2009_-_03/after_5_years_in_the_alliance_periphery_or_front_of_nato.html?pbck=0|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2013, NATO Energy Security [[NATO Centres of Excellence|Centre of Excellence]] was established in [[Vilnius]].

Following the [[2016 Warsaw summit]], [[NATO Enhanced Forward Presence]] was deployed in the Baltic States with the multinational battalion battle group in Lithuania being [[NATO Enhanced Forward Presence#Lithuanian multinational battalion battle group|led by Germany]].

===Cooperation between the Baltic States===

[[File:Closing ceremony for Iron Sword 2014.jpg|thumb|Lithuanian soldiers with their [[NATO]] allies during Iron Sword 2014.]]
Lithuania also cooperates with the two other Baltic states – [[Latvia]] and [[Estonia]] in several trilateral Baltic defence co-operation initiatives:
* Baltic Battalion ''(BALTBAT)''&nbsp;– infantry battalion for participation in international peace support operations, headquartered near [[Riga]], Latvia;
* [[Baltic Naval Squadron]] ''(BALTRON)''&nbsp;– naval force with mine countermeasures capabilities, headquartered near [[Tallinn]], Estonia;
* [[Baltic Air Surveillance Network]] ''(BALTNET)''&nbsp;– air surveillance information system, headquartered near [[Kaunas]], Lithuania;
* Joint military educational institutions: [[Baltic Defence College]] ''(BALTDEFCOL)'' in [[Tartu]], Estonia, Baltic Diving Training Centre in [[Liepāja]], Latvia and Baltic Naval Communications Training Centre in [[Tallinn]], Estonia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vm.ee/?q=en/node/4105 |title=Baltic Defence Co-operation |publisher=Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |date=January 2002 |access-date=11 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805201335/http://www.vm.ee/?q=en%2Fnode%2F4105 |archive-date=5 August 2011 }}</ref>
In January 2011, the Baltic states were invited to join [[Nordic Defence Cooperation]], the defence framework of the [[Nordic countries]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vm.ee/?q=en/node/10686 |title=Nordic Countries Invite Baltics to Join Defence Co-operation Framework |publisher=Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |date=21 January 2011 |access-date=11 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608191401/http://www.vm.ee/?q=en%2Fnode%2F10686 |archive-date=8 June 2012 }}</ref> In November 2012, the three countries agreed to create a joint military staff in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.err.ee/8140850c-b0bb-408b-96c6-7641b1bbfd10 |title=Joint Baltic Military Staff to Be Established |publisher=Estonian Public Broadcasting |date=9 November 2012 |access-date=25 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111213413/http://news.err.ee/8140850c-b0bb-408b-96c6-7641b1bbfd10 |archive-date=11 November 2012 }}</ref> Future co-operation will include sharing of national infrastructures for training purposes and specialisation of training areas ''(BALTTRAIN)'' and collective formation of battalion-sized contingents for use in the [[NATO Response Force|NATO rapid-response force]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kam.lt/en/news_1098/news_archives/news_archive_2011/news_archive_2011_-_12/baltic_defence_ministers_announced_new_defence_cooperation_initiatives.html|title=Baltic Defence Ministers announced new defence cooperation initiatives|publisher=Ministry of National Defence, Republic of Lithuania|date=12 December 2011|access-date=11 August 2012|archive-date=23 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723054233/http://www.kam.lt/en/news_1098/news_archives/news_archive_2011/news_archive_2011_-_12/baltic_defence_ministers_announced_new_defence_cooperation_initiatives.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Foreign missions and operations===

Lithuanian soldiers have taken part in international operations since 1993. From the summer of 2005 until 2014, [[Lithuania]] has been part of the [[International Security Assistance Force]] in Afghanistan (ISAF), leading a [[Provincial Reconstruction Team]] (PRT) in the town of [[Chaghcharan]] in the province of [[Ghor]]. The PRT included personnel from [[Denmark]], [[Iceland]] and the US. There have also been special operation forces units in Afghanistan. They were placed in [[Kandahar]] province.

Since joining international operations in 1993, Lithuania has lost two soldiers. 1st Lt. Normundas Valteris fell in [[Bosnia]] (17 April 1996), Sgt. Arūnas Jarmalavičius in Afghanistan (22 May 2008).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kariuomene.kam.lt/en/international_operations_1446/in_remembrance.html|title=Lithuanian Armed Forces :: Multinational operations " In remembrance|publisher=Ministry of National Defence, Republic of Lithuania|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-date=18 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018173406/http://kariuomene.kam.lt/en/international_operations_1446/in_remembrance.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Current operations (in 2022)===
{|  style="border:1px solid black; background:#efe8ff; font-size:95%; float:left;"
|-
! Deployment
! Organization
! Operation 
! Personnel{{Sfn|Hackett|2022|p=124}}
|-
|[[Central African Republic]]
|[[EU]]
|[[European Union Military Operation in the Central African Republic|EUTM RCA]]
|2
|-
|[[Iraq]]
|[[NATO]]
|[[NATO Training Mission – Iraq|NATO Mission Iraq]]
|2
|-
|[[Mali]]
|[[EU]]
|[[EUTM Mali]]
|2
|-
|[[Mali]]
|[[UN]]
|[[MINUSMA]]
|45
|-
|[[Kosovo]]
|[[NATO]]
|[[Kosovo Force|KFOR]]
|1
|-
|[[Ukraine]]
|
|JMTG-U
|30
|}
{{Clear}}

==List of military equipment==
{{Main|List of equipment of the Lithuanian Armed Forces}}

<gallery mode="packed" heights="120">
File:G36KA4M1 in the Lithuanian army (with attachments).jpg|[[Heckler & Koch G36]]
File:FGM-148 Javelin in Lithuanian service (1).png|[[FGM-148 Javelin]]
File:IFV Vilkas sideview.jpg|[[Boxer (armoured fighting vehicle)|IFV Vilkas]]
File:Lithuanian PzH 2000 (3) (cropped).jpg|[[Panzerhaubitze 2000|PzH 2000]]
File:LT-JLTVfront.jpg|[[JLTV]]
File:NASAMS 3 in Lithuanian service.jpg|[[NASAMS|NASAMS 3]]
File:Eurocopter AS365+( kf 8984).jpg|[[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin]]
</gallery>

==Ranks==
{{Main|Lithuanian military ranks and insignia}}

==See also==
* [[Equipment of the Lithuanian Land Force]]
* [[Baltic Air Policing]]
* [[NATO Enhanced Forward Presence]]
* '''''<small>{{portal-inline|Lithuania}}</small>'''''

== Notes ==
{{refbegin}}
'''a.''' {{Note label|a|a|none}}The 23,000 is structured like this: 14,500 in the Army, 1,500 in the Air Force, 700 in the Navy, and 6,300 in other units. The other units includes the Logistics Support Command (1,400), Training and Doctrine Command (1,500), the Special Operations Force (unknown) as well as the battalions of HQ and [[Lithuanian Military Police|Military Police]] (2,600).{{Sfn|Hackett|2022|p=124–125}}

'''b.''' {{Note label|b|b|none}} The paramilitary includes 10,600 of the Riflemen's Union and 3,550 of the State Border Guard Service.{{Sfn|Hackett|2022|p=125}}

'''c.''' {{Note label|c|c|none}}The number of 1.05 billion is without including military pensions. When the military pensions are included, the military budget reaches 1.12 billion.{{Sfn|Hackett|2022|p=125}}

{{refend}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{CCBYSASource|author(s)=Ministry of National Defence Republic of Lithuania|sourcepath=http://kariuomene.kam.lt/en/military_insignia.html|sourcearticle=Lithuanian Armed Forces|revision=444309161}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite news |last=Čepinskytė |first=Agnė |date=2016-06-06 |title=Lithuania Reinstates Conscription: Implications on Security, National Identity, and Gender Roles |publisher=[[Foreign Policy Research Institute]] |url=https://www.fpri.org/article/2016/06/lithuania-reinstates-conscription-implications-security-national-identity-gender-roles/ |access-date=25 June 2022 |archive-date=16 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516153243/https://www.fpri.org/article/2016/06/lithuania-reinstates-conscription-implications-security-national-identity-gender-roles/ |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite journal |date=2022-02-14 |editor-last=Hackett |editor-first=James |title=The 2022 Military Balance Chart |journal=The Military Balance |publisher=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] |volume=122 |issue=1 |issn=0459-7222}}
* {{Cite news |last=Sytas |first=Andrius |date=2022-06-23 |title=Lithuania president eyes hike in defence spending to host more NATO troops |agency=Reuters|location=Vilnius |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lithuania-president-eyes-hike-defence-spending-host-more-nato-troops-2022-06-23/ |access-date=25 June 2022 |archive-date=25 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625172405/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lithuania-president-eyes-hike-defence-spending-host-more-nato-troops-2022-06-23/ |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite journal |last=Vaičenonis |first=Jonas |year=2002 |title=Lietuvos kariuomenės skaičiai 1920–1939 m. |url=http://gs.elaba.lt/object/elaba:6141200/6141200.pdf |journal=Karo Archyvas |language=lt |location=Vilnius |volume=17 |access-date=1 August 2023 |archive-date=15 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215170208/http://gs.elaba.lt/object/elaba:6141200/6141200.pdf |url-status=dead }}

==Further reading==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140104212811/http://www.kam.lt/download/32127/the%20military%20strategy%20(3).doc The Military Strategy of the Republic of Lithuania]
* Stefan Marx, 'Lithuania's Defence Structure,' Jane's Intelligence Review, September 1993, p.&nbsp;407–409

==External links==
{{Commons category|Military of Lithuania}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20030812130936/http://www.kam.lt/en/ Official Ministry of National Defence Republic of Lithuania website]
* [https://enseccoe.org Official NATO Energy Security Center of Excellence website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702235818/https://www.enseccoe.org/|date=2 July 2014}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130708093056/http://www.lka.lt/index.php/en Official General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania website]

{{Lithuanian Armed Forces units (1990–now)}}
{{Lithuania topics}}
{{Military of Europe}}
{{Military history of Europe}} 
{{Militaries of European Union member states}}
{{North Atlantic Treaty Organization}}

[[Category:Military of Lithuania| ]]
[[Category:Permanent Structured Cooperation]]