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| Lithuanian Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Lithuanian Air Force |
| Native name | Lietuvos Karinės Oro Pajėgos |
| Caption | Emblem of the Lithuanian Air Force |
| Start date | 1919; re-established 1992 |
| Country | Lithuania |
| Branch | Armed Forces of Lithuania |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Air defence, transport, search and rescue |
| Garrison | Vilnius |
| Equipment | See below |
Lithuanian Air Force is the aerial service branch of the armed forces of Lithuania. Founded in the aftermath of World War I and reconstituted after the end of the Cold War, it has transitioned from legacy Soviet systems to NATO-compatible air defence and transport capabilities. The force supports national sovereignty, participates in Baltic and NATO air policing, and contributes to regional security alongside partners such as United States Air Force, Royal Air Force, and German Air Force.
The origins trace to formations established during the Lithuanian–Soviet War and the interwar Republic of Lithuania (1918–1940), when early squadrons operated alongside units of the Lithuanian Army. Following the Soviet occupation of the Baltic states, indigenous air units were dissolved and many assets integrated into the Soviet Air Forces. After the restoration of independence in 1990–1991 and recognition at the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany era geopolitics, the Air Force was formally re-established in 1992 as part of rebuilding under the auspices of the new Ministry of National Defence (Lithuania). Lithuania pursued membership in North Atlantic Treaty Organization, achieving accession in 2004, which accelerated interoperability with NATO Air Command and alignment with standards set by NATO Standardization Office. During the 2000s and 2010s modernization efforts involved cooperation with Swedish Air Force, Polish Air Force, and Finnish Air Force as part of Baltic defence initiatives post-2008 Russo-Georgian War and amid concerns following the Russo-Ukrainian War.
The Air Force is a branch of the Armed Forces of Lithuania under the Ministry of National Defence (Lithuania), commanded by a Chief within the Lithuanian military hierarchy that interfaces with NATO Allied Air Command. Core subunits historically include tactical transport squadrons, air defence coordination centres, and support elements collaborating with the Lithuanian Land Force and Lithuanian Naval Force. Organizationally it comprises headquarters in Vilnius, a training wing, an air surveillance and control centre integrated with the Baltic Air Surveillance Network, and logistic and maintenance units that liaise with partners including Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation and United States European Command.
Equipment has shifted from Soviet-era types like the MiG-21 and Antonov An-26 toward Western platforms and systems. Current primary inventory emphasizes transport and surveillance: utility aircraft such as Cessna 172 for training, medium transports derived from Lockheed C-130 Hercules concepts via cooperative leasing and acquisitions, and rotary-wing assets influenced by models like the Bell UH-1 Iroquois and AgustaWestland AW139 for search and rescue. Air surveillance relies on integrated radar systems interoperable with NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence (NATINAMDS), command-and-control linked to Link 16 networks, and support from allied fighters such as F-16 Fighting Falcon and Eurofighter Typhoon during Baltic air policing rotations. Electronic warfare and ground-based air defence considerations reference systems fielded by partners like Patriot (missile) operators.
Principal installations include the main air facilities near Vilnius and the strategic airfield at Kaunas (also known historically as S. Dariaus and S. Girėnas Airport), with forward operating locations cooperating with NATO at Šiauliai Air Base and other regional aerodromes. Infrastructure modernization projects have upgraded runways, hardened shelters, and logistics depots to NATO standards, often through funding and technical assistance from European Union instruments and bilateral agreements with the United States Department of Defense and Sweden.
Operational roles include Baltic air policing under successive rotations coordinated by NATO Baltic Air Policing, joint exercises with Rapid Trident-style multinational drills, and participation in peacetime search and rescue missions coordinated with European Union Agency for the Space Programme assets and regional coast guard services. The Air Force contributes to NATO collective defence posture in response to crises such as the aftermath of the 2014 annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and provides transport support for humanitarian missions linked to United Nations operations and EU civilian missions. Host nation support has been provided to allied air contingents from Netherlands Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Italian Air Force during rotational deployments.
Personnel recruitment and professional education are conducted via institutions including the General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania and through exchange programs with Italian Air Force Academy, United States Air Force Academy, and other NATO training centres. Flight training uses piston trainers and simulated environments interoperable with standards from NATO Flight Training frameworks; maintenance training is certified to standards analogous to those of the European Defence Agency. Career paths include pilot, air traffic control, air surveillance, logistics, and specialisations in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. International exercises such as Saber Strike and Baltops serve as regular training platforms.
Modernization priorities emphasize radar and command-and-control upgrades, acquisition of medium transport capability, rotary-wing replacements, and enhancements to civil-military air traffic coordination. Procurement follows competitive bidding and interoperability criteria aligned with NATO and EU procurement directives, engaging industry partners from Lockheed Martin, Airbus, Saab AB, and Leonardo S.p.A.. Financing leverages national defence budget increases and foreign military aid instruments from United States Foreign Military Financing and bilateral grants, aiming to achieve a resilient, networked force capable of contributing to collective defence and regional stability.
Category:Military units and formations of Lithuania