Land Forces

The Lithuanian Armed Forces, which were initially intended as the sole defender of Lithuanian territory, have now been developed into a force capable of acting as an integral part of NATO forces.

The Land Forces form the backbone of the country's defence force; therefore, in reforming the Armed Forces, most attention and financial resources have been directed to the development of the Land Forces. In bringing them up to NATO standards, current efforts focus on upgrading equipment and armaments, enhancing their operational effectiveness, and combat training.

The Land Forces consist of the Iron Wolf Motorised Infantry Brigade, the Engineer Battalion and the National Defence Volunteers, numbering 3,500 regulars and 4,700 volunteers.

The Motorised Infantry Brigade (MIB) makes up the core of the Land Forces, and includes two mechanised, two motorised battalions and an artillery battalion.

The Engineers are responsible for mine clearance, the construction of pontoon bridges, unexploded ordnance detonation tasks, underwater engineering and participation in search and rescue operations. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Platoon is ready to participate in international operations.

Starting in 2008, the Lithuanian Armed Forces launched a 10-year-long project continuing mine cleaning on Lithuanian territory of explosives left after the First and Second World War, and in former Soviet military bases.

As an integral part of the Land Forces, the National Defence Volunteers have been developing since the beginning of the national movement for independence. The volunteers act smoothly together with the Allies during military operations and have been assigned new missions: to augment the regular forces, to deploy individual units and specific capabilities for international operations, to assist host nation support and to support the civilian authorities.