Flags of All the Four Armed Services Flew for the First Time

DECEMBER 2020. NO 12 (31).

NEWS

FOUR FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN KEEPING NATO RELEVANT

NATO'S PRESENCE NFIU – 5 YEARS IN LITHUANIA Flags of all the four armed services flew for the first time am grateful to every soldier for the four armed services of the Lithuanian their contribution to the domestic Armed Forces — Land, Navy, Air, and Spe- support tasks of the Lithuanian cial Operations — were hoisted for the first Armed Forces. I am delighted by your abili- time. The Lithuanian Armed Forces Ho- ty to answer the expectations and trust of the nour Guard Company performed with gun community in the times of the coronavirus salutes and the Lithuanian Armed Forces when everyone needed some military order, Band played at the event. planning, precision and focussing on the The Lithuanian Armed Forces Day cele- SPECIAL goal," acting Minister of National Defence bration date is associated with the first order said in his congratulations on Lithuanian passed by the Government of the Republic of LITHUANIAN MARKED Armed Forces Day. Lithuania on 23 November 1918 concerning Lithuanian Armed Forces Day is celebra- organisation of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. MILITARY WEAPONS. PART II ted on November 23. This year the traditional This year marks the 102nd anniversary of the celebration has been modified by various re-established Lithuanian Armed Forces that coronavirus precautions as Lithuania grap- dates back to the forces of the Grand Duchy ples with the pandemic just like most of the of Lithuania. world does. Most of the traditional commemorations The main accent of the celebration was were cut or replaced in accordance with the unveiling and presentation of the Spe- the coronavirus precautions applied in the cial Operations Forces organisational co- Armed Forces and in line with the Ministry of lours at the formal flag hoisting ceremony Health recommendations this year based on at the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas the pandemic considerations. Headquarters Battalion. Following this MoND information symbolic act all organisational flags of Photo credit: Alfredas Pliadis News

Change of rotations of Content NEWS the U.S. Army presence FLAGS OF ALL THE FOUR ARMED SERVICES FLEW FOR THE FIRST TIME.....1

CHANGE OF ROTATIONS OF THE U.S. ARMY PRESENCE...... 2

NATO NEEDS A STRATEGY FOR THE TECHNOLOGIES...... 3

FOUR FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN KEEPING NATO RELEVANT...... 4,5

GERMAN DEFENSE MINISTRY TARGETS NEW US CHANNEL...... 6 he 2nd Brigade, 69th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, U.S. Army, has finished exercises and training in Lithuania and are going back FIVE EUROPEAN ALLIES SIGN ON TO to their home base. A new heavy U.S. battalion — 2-8 Cavalry BUILD NATO’S NEXT MEDIUM-LIFT SquadronT — will rotate in instead by mid-December to stay until around HELICOPTER...... 7 midsummer of next year. A NEW BOOK ABOUT LITHUANIA IN The outgoing rotation — troops of the nd2 Brigade, 69th Regiment, THE GLOBAL CONTEXT...... 8 2nd Battalion — were training at Pabradė military area from early Sep- tember. They had exercises with Lithuanian, NATO enhanced Forward "BLACK SWANS" AND OTHER Presence Battalion Battle Group soldiers deployed in Rukla in Lithuania over that time. The American force had their own weaponry and equip- CHALLENGES...... 9 ment — Abrams tanks, Bradley armoured vehicles. "Defence cooperation between Lithuania and the U.S. stands strong IN SHORT and remains intense, while the U.S. battalion rotations in Lithuania reaf- INTERNATIONAL EXERCISE firm the strength of the Lithuanian-U.S. defence cooperation. U.S. presence, just like NATO presence in Lithuania, remains to be among the IRON WOLF 2020 II...... 10 most critical factors in ensuring security," acting Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis says. NATO'S PRESENCE The U.S. Army rotations deploy as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve of the U.S. Army in the eastern part of the Alliance. It is a reassurance NFIU – 5 YEARS IN LITHUANIA...... 12 about the collective defence commitments to NATO allies concerning European security following the aggressive Russian actions in Ukraine. U.S. forces have been rotating in to train in the Baltic States and Eastern SPECIAL Europe since spring 2014. Cooperation with NATO allies has been on a particular increase over LITHUANIAN MARKED MILITARY the recent years and more joint exercises are held, therefore Lithuania WEAPONS. PART II...... 18 expands military training areas and improves their infrastructure to ensure that both, our and allied forces are able to train effectively and serve as a deterrent. Additional investments are made to improve military mobility, for instance, a new railhead of Pažeimenė railway line near the Pabradė Training Area was unveiled this spring to facilitate deployment of NATO allies’ equipment and weaponry to Lithuania. The outgoing Military Press Office of Lithuanian Armed Forces Totorių str. 25, LT-01121, Vilnius; U.S. rotation were the first soldiers to test the facility. Phone (370 5) 210 3897, GSM (370 6) 86 94458; fax (370 5) 273 5550; The United States makes investments in adaptation of Lithuanian mili- Email [email protected] tary areas to military needs. Several projects have been already completed on Publisher — Lithuanian Armed Forces. The opinion of editorial office does not necessarily coin- U.S. funds at Pabradė, Rukla, Kazlų Rūda, such as marksman and sniper, light cide with the opinion of the authors. Pictures, manuscripts are not returned and reviewed. Cir- culation is 300 copies. Printed by the Cartography Center of Lithuanian Military, Muitinės str.4, infantry and heavy machine-gun, and infantry fighting vehicle firing ranges, Domeikava, LT-54359 Kaunas dist. Order GL-503. maintenance capability, other training and area upkeep infrastructure. MoND information Photo credit: Alfredas Pliadis

2 Lithuanian Military Digest News

NATO needs a strategy for the technologies

he incoming Biden administration is expected to reassert ties with Europe, hoping to leverage America’s allies andT partners at NATO in the great power competition with China and Russia. As U.S. and European leaders set their collective agenda at the next NATO summit, a top priority should be establishing a NATO framework for emerging and disruptive technologies (EDT). For the United States, it is important that the alliance adapt together to defend against algorithms and bots, as much as bullets and bombs. Europe shares this mindset but differs from the United States on key defense tech issues, such as regulation, data, and stakes in national champion companies. To avoid the dan- gerous transatlantic rifts of the last four years, Brussels and Washington must bridge that gap and forge an alliance approach to EDT. ment with industry. A strategic assessment from platforms to create a system of systems. Go- NATO has acknowledged the need to har- function will not be valuable unless industry ing forward, NATO needs this same approach ness the power of such technologies, but cur- leaders are engaged and incentivized. NATO to rapidly develop and deploy emerging defense rent efforts have produced innovation theater, needs to connect to the private sector early and dual-use technologies for conventional and as opposed to fundamental organizational and often, clearly communicating its priorities hybrid conflicts. This involves placing big, trans- change. NATO lags behind in critical areas such and requirements while providing accessible formative bets on critical technologies, such as as 5G, hypersonics, artificial intelligence (AI), opportunities for industry, including non-tra- unmanned air and maritime systems, artificial unmanned systems, and quantum science. ditionals, to readily sell into the alliance. Too intelligence (AI), and hypersonics. In the past, NATO has used frameworks to often national and international defense or- Coordinate with the EU. NATO should bet- get member states to agree on priorities, dedi- ganizations do not provide discernable paths ter leverage its ability to assign capability and cate resources, and empower authorities to act. to revenue for these companies, artificially spending targets to encourage its members to Looking to the next NATO summit, transat- limiting their industrial bases. The long lead innovate. For instance, to complement the 2 lantic leaders should champion an EDT frame- times for these projects are often unattractive percent of GDP defense spending benchmark, work built around four practical pillars: or unfeasible, especially for small companies NATO could mandate that allies invest a cer- Establishing an organic assessment and coor- and start-ups where radical innovation takes tain portion of that into emerging technolo- dination capacity at the strategic level. To fulfill place. To remedy this, the alliance should look gies. It should also rework the 2 percent met- its potential as the transatlantic coordinating tool to the U.S. Department of Defense, which has ric to include civilian investment in dual-use on the security dimensions of EDT, the alliance succeeded in attracting startups and non-tradi- technologies that may fall outside of traditional needs an in-house capability to assess challenges tionals to its ecosystem through rapid awards, defense budgets. Where NATO lacks the ca- driven by rapidly evolving technologies. It must proof-of-concept contracts, and matching ven- pacity to enforce these standards, the Europe- examine the advantages and vulnerabilities of ture capital funds that start-ups receive. an Union brings the legislative and budgetary adversaries and competitors, as well as gaps in Enhancing standardization and interoperabi- authority to promote them. NATO and the EU NATO’s approach and capabilities. NATO must lity by creating a system of systems. To meet the should coordinate research and development, explore how EDT can be applied to tackle below- challenges of future warfare, the alliance must be provide seed funding toward these targets, and threshold threats, enhance defense planning, able communicate and operate across militaries, reinforce them with legal tools where possible. boost exercises, and support decision-making. capabilities, and domains. This requires more NATO and the EU should also initiate a strate- Building on ongoing efforts, this should occur standardized, secure, and resilient platforms, sys- gic dialogue to address fundamental issues of at the strategic level of the alliance, fusing civil tems, and infrastructure. NATO needs an EDT tech governance and data sharing. and military perspectives and data to inform the strategy for integration, not just innovation. Lead- The ability to employ emerging and disrup- development and introduction of cutting-edge ing candidates for Biden’s Pentagon team have tive technologies more effectively than com- EDT. It must also include a more robust mecha- emphasized this priority, supporting a CJADC2 petitors such as China and Russia will shape nism for aligning capabilities and gaps across concept — a "network of networks" to ensure the global role of the United States and the members, key partners, and the European Union. reliable command and control. The alliance transatlantic alliance in the coming decades. As defense budgets contract amidst the Covid-19 should leverage CJADC2 as a better framework NATO has begun to talk the talk, but now it crisis, this approach will maximize return on in- for standardization and interoperability, paving must walk the walk. vestment and improve NATO’s strategic edge. the way for more complex joint operations. This www.defensenews.com Seeding the market by improving engage- requires a change in doctrine and a shift away Photo credit: www.defensenews.com

December 2020. No 12. 3 News Four factors to consider in keeping NATO relevant

he NATO alliance survived four NATO’s rejuvenation might unfold under sea. There are differences about the endgame years of U.S. President Donald what we call the "Four Cs." We should want an in Afghanistan. And there are uncertainties Trump due largely to strong con- alliance that is more coherent, more capable, of how the alliance should address China’s gressionalT support and clever leadership by more comprehensive in scope and with a more growing security role in Europe and the glo- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. After the co-equal balance of contributions to the com- bal commons. bell ringing and fireworks end in European mon defense. The new Strategic Concept will need to en- capitals to welcome President-elect Joe Biden, The return of Joe Biden alone will contribu- hance coherence by reaffirming common de- the alliance will need to realize that it can not te to NATO’s coherence, and reverse poison- mocratic values and recommitting to the com- go back to business as usual. The world has ous trans-Atlantic political relations. But the mon defense. This will be the most important moved on during those four years and the al- problem is deeper. element of a new Strategic Concept. A review liance will need to continue to rejuvenate in Threat perceptions differ markedly across of the Strategic Concept can provide a process order to remain relevant. the alliance. There is broad lack of confi- through which allies can assess mechanisms to That rejuvenation process will be enshrined dence in commitments to the North Atlantic uphold their mutual commitment to strengthen in a new Strategic Concept, which should Treaty, including its mutual defense Article their free institutions, avoid straying from emerge over the next year or so. Stoltenberg V. There is democratic backsliding among agreed democratic practices and prevent allies already has a so-called reflection process un- several NATO members. Allies are facing off from confronting each other militarily. derway designed to identify key areas where against each other in the Eastern Mediterra- Second, the alliance needs to continue its change is needed. Biden’s foreign policy team nean. There are differing attitudes about Rus- efforts to strengthen its capabilities in two will now weigh in. sian behavior around the Black and Baltic distinct areas: conventional military might

4 Lithuanian Military Digest News

and resilience against so-called hybrid or non- kinetic attacks. Since the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, NATO nations have begun to focus again on a major power competitor. Four NATO battlegroups are forward-deployed to the Baltic states and Poland. A small, very high-readiness force and a larger readiness initiative were undertaken to back up those bat- talions. A mobilization initiative was designed to make sure ready forces can forward-deploy quickly. But European defense budgets cons- trained by COVID-19 will put those initiatives in jeopardy. The Strategic Concept will need to prioritize those programs. The alliance must also more methodically address unconventional challenges to human security from Russia such as media disinfor- mation, corrosive cyber operations, supply chain disruptions and energy intimidation. The Strategic Concept needs to design resilience programs so that alliance members can better protect the critical functions of our so- cieties to such disruptive dangers. Next, the scope of NATO’s mission needs to be more comprehensive. NATO’s core tasks of collective defense, crisis management and cooperative security must be expanded to in- tributed to saving the lives of refugees at sea. In including defense industrial cooperation and clude countering challenges that contribute addition, the consequences of a major ice melt joint exercises. It also has invested in European to global instability. Those challenges would will have a significant security impact in the strategic infrastructure, created technology range from managing global warming and pan- Arctic, along urban coastlines and on further dependencies and used coercive diplomacy to demics through the refugee crisis to the rise of refugee flows. To remain relevant, NATO must stifle European voices. NATO’s expanded role China. begin to define its role in these areas. should include reducing those dependencies NATO has recently used its mobility and Stoltenberg has focused the alliance’s at- and developing much closer partnership ties civil defense assets to mitigate the impact of the tention on China. That nation is increasingly with America’s Asian allies. COVID-19 pandemic. NATO navies have con- partnering with Russia in the military arena Finally, the new Strategic Concept should result in more co-equal trans-Atlantic distribu- tion of military capabilities and responsibilities. This is less about traditional burden-sharing than it is about responding to two historical trends. Europe’s response to the Trump years has been to seek greater strategic autonomy. China’s military challenge has American plan- ners focusing on Asia first. Many American friends of Europe are dis- cussing a possible new division of labor, with the United States focusing more on China and European militaries focusing on Russia. This, however, could leave Europe poorly defended and open to coercion. The Strategic Concept will need to divine an elegant solution, perhaps with Europe accepting the responsibility to provide half of the capability needed to defend against a major Russian attack. NATO has remained history’s strongest alliance precisely because it has adapted to new strategic conditions. It can do so again. www.defenscenews.com Photo credits: www.flickr.com

December 2020. No 12. 5 News

German defense ministry targets new US channel that there would have to be some adjustments made to U.S. aircraft in order to get them cer- tified to fly here. Countries also typically want their own communications gear that fits with national security standards. The prospect of an election here next year, which usually means large-scale acquisition decisions must wait, has the defense ministry scrambling to make decisions, perhaps as soon as this month. "We are currently re-evaluating the project," a spokeswoman told Defense News. "A decision about how, and whether, we will continue has yet to be made." The newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported he German defense ministry is eye- chase of a replacement for the Bundeswehr’s over the weekend that defense officials had ing something of a redo of its failed CH-53G helicopters by 2030. The process al- lodged a formal FMS request with the Penta- acquisition strategy for new heavy lows foreign governments buying U.S. kit some gon on Nov. 20, asking for responses by Dec. cargoT helicopters, banking on the U.S. foreign leeway in customizing their equipment, but the 4. Such a turnaround time would be extraor- military sales process to yield contracts for push for standard-issue equipment is generally dinary when accounting for the Thanksgiving either the Lockheed Martin King Stallion or more pronounced than in direct commercial holiday and Washington’s lame-duck spirit af- Boeing Chinook by the end of 2022. sales. ter a grueling presidential race. The strategy appears in the ministry’s latest That kind of discipline may be a welcome The apparent rush has already caught the report on major weapon systems, released this constraint for the German military-acquisition attention of industry. "We appreciate that the week. The previous acquisition track, aban- office, which had added a litany of special -re acquisition process will continue but we are doned in September, saw the Berlin govern- quirements for communications equipment wondering about the fast pace," Dennis Goege, ment deal directly with the two vendors, dic- and sensors, like a new weather radar, into the Lockheed’s vice president for central and tating a host of special requirements for the previous program. In the end, industry officials eastern Europe, told the Handelsblatt newspa- aircraft that ended up making their offers too said, the eventual wish list released by the de- per. "We aim for a competition that ensures a expensive. fense ministry was a far cry from the original fair comparison of both aircraft," he added. By picking the FMS route, the German de- desire for a no-frills workhorse helicopter on www.defesenews.com fense ministry is expected to work more closely the battlefield. Photo credits: www.defesenews.com, with the U.S. government in the eventual pur- At the same time, industry sources caution www.flickr.com

6 Lithuanian Military Digest News

Five European allies sign on to build NATO’s next medium-lift helicopter ive NATO member nations have The letters of intent are non-binding docu- agree on the associated funding requirements signed on to build the alliance’s next- ments, and the initial cooperation effort is in for the following years," the official said. generation helicopter, planned to re- principle open to other NATO allies and part- As a medium multi-role rotorcraft, this new Fplace existing fleets starting in 2035. ners, subject to the approval of the existing capability would assist NATO allies in missions France, Germany, the United Kingdom, participants, a NATO official said in an email including insertion and extraction of special Italy and Greece each signed letters of intent to Defense News. operations forces, and transporting small- and to participate in the program, dubbed "Next- Details including cost, work share between medium-sized cargo and troops within opera- Generation Rotorcraft Capability," or NGRC, the five nations and specific timelines have not tional theaters. It would also be used in medical per a Nov. 19 statement issued by NATO. yet been released. NATO envisions defense evacuation, search and rescue, and anti-subma- Over the coming years, these partners will ministers from participating countries will sign rine warfare. work together to develop "an entirely new he- a legally binding memorandum of understan- NATO is launching this effort just as the licopter capability" that would replace a variety ding for the initial concept phase around 2022. U.S. Army is firming up requirements for its of medium multi-role rotorcraft fleets that are In the meantime, the allies will develop a own new medium multi-role rotorcraft, via the expected to retire between 2035 and 2040. The statement of requirements to inform that concept Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program was launched on the margins of the phase, and hash out a cooperation plan to define, competition. A draft request for proposals for virtually held defense ministerial meeting in develop and field the next-generation helicopter. this capability — part of the service’s next-gene- October, the alliance said. The NATO official noted that it will be critical to ration Future Vertical Lift family of systems — is "By investing our resources and channeling "get the intellectual foundation for NGRC right," expected by the end of 2020. Bell and a Boeing- our development initiatives through a multina- and that 2021 discussions to establish an initial Sikorsky team have each already built a techno- tional framework, we are making sure allies are common statement of requirements will not re- logy demonstrator, and are expected to compete equipped with the best available capabilities, quire "substantial" capital expenditures. for the contract award, with plans to field the which helps to maintain NATO’s technological Next year’s efforts will provide "a robust new aircraft by 2030. edge," NATO Deputy Secretary-General Mir- starting point for the participants to discuss www.defensenews.com cea Geoană was quoted as saying in the release. and design the subsequent concept phase and Photo credit: www.defensenews.com

December 2020. No 12. 7 News

A new book about Lithuania in the Global Context THE EDITED VOLUME "LITHUANIA IN THE GLOBAL CONTEXT: NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY DILEMMAS" (EDITED BY GIEDRIUS ČESNAKAS AND NORTAUTAS STATKUS) IS A MAJOR HANDBOOK DEFINING HOW CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL, REGIONAL AND DOMESTIC CHANGES AND CHALLENGES AFFECT THE SECURITY OF LITHUANIA.

he rapid contemporary changes in Europe become middle sized states. The rifts the international system create sig- between Europe and the U.S. hurts influence nificant dilemmas for Lithuania’s se- and security of the Euro-Atlantic Commu- affairs, Lithuania’s support for Ukraine, and Tcurity and defence. Changes in economic and nity. The focus is given to changing technologi- prospects and challenges of cooperation with military power, demographics, ideologies and cal, economic and demographic environments Poland and the Baltic states in military affairs. technology increases uncertainties and need which can lead to significant security challenges Finally, Deividas Šlekys focuses on the evo- for constant adaptation and foresight. of the future. Nortautas Statkus focuses on the lution of Lithuania military and its changing ef- The editors of the book have been success- growing ideological rifts and their impact on in- ficiency after 2014. At the same time, Vytautas ful in attracting nearly all the leading security ternational and national security. Book gives a lot Isoda writes about the impact of Lithuania’s researchers from Lithuania and abroad. More of focus on the increasing influence of the PRC participation in international missions on its than 20 scholars from Lithuania, mainly the in Europe and military reform in the PRC. Vai- defence. Finally, Danguolė Bardauskaitė fo- General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy, dotas Urbelis and Gerda Jakštaitė provide a lot cuses on the question of how Lithuania can use partners working in research and analytical ins- of attention to the defence strategy of the United think tanks to advance its security interests. titutions abroad (the United States of America States of America and America’s relation with The book is an interesting reading for and Estonia) as well as security and foreign po- European allies. Lithuania’s decision makers, its allies, resear- licy practitioners from the Ministry of National Book extensively discusses the regional chers focusing on contemporary security and Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs security environment. Threats from Russia defence challenges, and wide society in general. contributed chapters for the book. remain at the core of the security identity of The book can be downloaded from the The book begins from the overview of the Lithuania. The authors analyse the impact of website of the General Jonas Žemaitis Military major process changing the international sys- the deeper European Union’s integration in Academy: http://lka.lt/en/research/publi- tem — the rise of the People’s Republic of the defence sector, Lithuania’s cooperation cations/international-relations.html China and other centres of power. The power of with three major powers of Europe (the United The General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy inf. the West decrease and former great powers of Kingdom, France and Germany) in military Photo credits: Eimantas Genys

Book presentation in the General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy.

8 Lithuanian Military Digest News "Black swans" and other challenges PROF. DR. GIEDRIUS ČESNAKAS, THE HEAD OF THE STUDY PROGRAMS OF POLITICAL SCIENCE OF THE GENERAL JONAS ŽEMAITIS MILITARY ACADEMY, SAYS THAT THE BOOK WAS PUBLISHED IN OPRDER TO PRESENT PERCEPTIONS ABOUT SECURITY FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF LITHUANIA TO THE BROAD SOCIETY, DECISION-MAKERS, AND PARTNERS ABROAD, BECAUSE A LOT OF CHALLENGES ARE WAITING AHEAD IN THIS FIELD.

How did you get an idea to publish a book like this? I have to say that the inspiration for the book came from the Commandant of the Mili- tary Academy Brig. Gen. Algis Vaičeliūnas and support of the Vice-Rector prof. Jūratė Novagrockienė. They strongly advocated the research project to show the renewed academic capabilities of the Military Academy. I had a dream to prepare a handbook which would cover global, regional and local dimensions of the contemporary security environment. The vision was not to write a book for a small community of researchers, or to have purely scientific out- put, but to present perceptions about security from the point of view of Lithuania to the broad The editors of the book from the left: dr. Nortautas Statkus and prof. dr. Giedrius Česnakas. society, decision-makers, and partners abroad. The decision was to write a book in English to various reasons. However, I hope we will be able security of our allies as threats to them come contribute to the global discourse of security to cover them in a similar project in the future. from Africa and the Middle East. Europe has studies. Those visions (institutional and per- to increase defence spending to enable the US sonal) came together, and the project was born. There are a lot of dilemmas in our na- to give more attention to the East Asia region. tional security and defence policy, as Contributing to the security of our allies, we How did you choose the themes and au- you write in your book, so do you think are contributing to our security. thors? we can successfully cope with the major Co-editor dr. Nortautas Statkus and I instantly challenges together with our allies? In this book you overview changing tech- indicated major drivers changing security en- Lithuania is a small country, but it has a lot of nological, economic and demographic vironment, which do not necessarily affect strong allies. Sometimes the visions of the al- environments which can lead to signifi- Lithuania directly, but affect our partners. Se- lies differ, then comes Lithuania’s diplomacy cant security challenges of the future. curity of our partners is crucial to Lithuanian which tries to bridge those visions, to find a So, in your opinion, what are the big- security, so we agreed to analyse what chal- common denominator. gest security challenges, waiting for us in lenges they experience and how they would From my perspective, we have to be realists the next 10-15 years? affect Lithuania. So we moved from global to about the future and see trends as they are and I am afraid that there is no single challenge. regional to national levels of analysis. Most of not as we wish them to be. The world is rapidly The problem is that the threats reinforce one the authors of the book are researchers at the changing, the West are in a relative decline, another, so we have to keep a broad view of the Military Academy of Lithuania. They cover a Western values are increasingly questioned, and processes. Globally, the increasing rivalry be- lot of different topics in security studies. We democracy is in retreat even in the West. In such tween the PRC and the US is a major challenge. had a strong base, to begin with. Where we an environment, there is no alternative only to Regionally — Russia and its disruptive activi- indicated lack of expertise we outreached to have a strong Western alliance to defend its va- ties, the possible vulnerability of Trans-Atlantic our colleagues in other institutions working lues, norms and security. Ideas that individual link and lack of assertiveness. For our partners on security studies, they gladly agreed to join. European country or even Europe without the in the South, migration and terrorism are daily We also wanted to bridge scientists and prac- United States of America can be successful lack challenges. We still fail to grasp the impact of ra- titioners. Readers can find chapters written by realistic assessments. Strong Trans-Atlantic pidly developing technologies on security and representatives of the Ministry of Defence and bond, deeper European integration, and multi- defence, especially for small states, and adapt to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We had topics lateral cooperation with democracies and part- those challenges. We have to focus on the de- we wanted to cover, and we outreached experts ners all around the world are necessary. fence of small states under technological infe- in those topics in Lithuania and abroad. Lithuania is at the border with Russia, which riority. The greatest challenge is to be prepared I have to say that a book was a bit more ambi- is ambitious and aggressive. We have to be for unknown unknowns — "black swans". tious. Still, like all projects, there are unexpec- ready to defend ourselves with support from ted setbacks, so we had to drop some topics for NATO, but not to forget to contribute to the By Ilona Skujaitė

December 2020. No 12. 9 In short

International exercise Iron Wolf 2020 II

nternational exercise Iron Wolf 2020 II and 9 other NATO allies took part in the train- Wolf command and other NATO allies and took place in the Pabradė Training Area ing. partners. in November 3–18. It was the biggest One of the main purposes was to certify The field training exercise Iron Wolf 2020 II internationalI exercise of this year in Lithuania. the readiness of the NATO enhanced For- was not only a certification exercise for the ca- Approximately a 1000 articles of military ward Presence Battle Group (NATO eFP BG), pability of the eFP and its ability to cooperate equipment — tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, deployed in Rukla, Jonava district and King with Lithuanian allies but also the conclusion armoured personnel carriers, artillery systems, Mindaugas Hussar Battalion (deployed in of the 8th eFP rotation. The rotation already supply and command post vehicles — and Panevėžys) to act together and be interopera- has begun preparing for redeployment and the over 3000 military personnel from Lithuania ble with the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron next rotation will come in soon.

CHIEF OF DEFENCE OF LITHUANIA LT GEN COMMANDER OF THE MIB IRON WOLF COL VALDEMARAS RUPŠYS: MINDAUGAS PETKEVIČIUS: "The international exercise Iron Wolf 2020 II is gradually becoming "Although the Iron Wolf 2020 II exercise was taking place during a the main one in Lithuania, so we are combining it with other exercises global pandemic, tasks of the Brigade remain unchanged: We must train of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and allies. and be able to defend our country. Training in the exercises like this is We have excellent opportunities to check annually the abilities of the only way to do it. our land force soldiers, commanders and military units to carry out the We have built a good team: NATO eFP Battle Group, King Mindau- tasks assigned to them, during the exercise Iron Wolf 2020 II. gas Hussar Battalion and other units from the Lithuanian Armed Forc- Working together with the powerful NATO eFP Battle Group and es and our allies from abroad were training together. Exercise Iron Wolf international evaluators, we can assess our readiness professionally, 2020 II was joint and international, so we had a great opportunity to and it’s very important for maintaining and improving high combat collaborate and renew our procedures. Also I am glad, that NATO eFP readiness." BG has heavy equipment, which gives more power for the Brigade." Information: Lithuanian Armed Forces Photo credits: archive of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf, Private Vilius Džiavečka

10 Lithuanian Military Digest In short

December 2020. No 12. 11 NATO's presence

12 Lithuanian Military Digest NATO's presence

NATO FORCE INTEGRATION UNIT IN LITHUANIA (NFIU LTU) IS ONE OF SIX FIRST-WAVE NFIUS TOGETHER WITH THOSE ESTABLISHED IN ESTONIA, NFIU – 5 years LATVIA, POLAND, BULGARIA AND ROMANIA IN 2015. THE ACTIVATION OF THE NFIUS IS PART OF NATO’S FUNDAMENTAL ADAPTATION in Lithuania IN THE FACE OF SECURITY CHALLENGES. THE COMMANDER OF NFIU LTU COLONEL JAKOB SØGÅRD LARSEN SAYS THAT IT WAS CHALLENGING TO BUILD A HEADQUARTERS LIKE THIS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUING TO DEVELOP AND TO BE EVEN BETTER PREPARED AND ACTIVE THAN BEFORE.

Danish Army Colonel Jakob Søgård Larsen — the commander of the NFIU LT since its inauguration in 2015. NFIU LTU is the only NFIU that has a foreign commander.

THE START How do you remember the start of NFIU in Lithuania? Was it challenging? Of course, it was a huge challenge for me and without the support of my great team and my Lithuanian host it would have been impossible to build a headquarters like this. To establish a headquarters from nothing was very inspiring and also motivating. The manner in which my team and the Lithuanian Defence Staff supported the project and each other was very impressive — everyone was al- 5th anniversary photo of NFIU LTU in the Cathedral Square in Vilnius, August(?)2020. ways ready to help or assist. I will never forget the way Lithuania helped us to build up this

December 2020. No 12. 13 NATO's presence

headquarters — everyone was very professio- has been fundamental to the success of my munity visits around the country I have met so nal and incredibly positive which created a very Unit and not once have I encountered a closed many impressive and interesting people from supportive atmosphere. door. Moreover, sometimes there can be a per- whom I have learned so many things. ception that NATO is here to teach Lithuania People in Lithuania are very friendly and Summing up the unit’s experience in but nothing can be further from the truth as we you always feel welcomed. You are, without Lithuania: What are the main achieve- have learned a lot from Lithuanian, both from doubt, amazing hosts and you have a fantastic ments and lessons learned? Have you Defence and civilian organisations. As such, it and beautiful country. fulfilled all the tasks, planned in the be- has been a real pleasure and great honour to ginning? work with such professional entities. NOWADAYS CHALLENGES Cleary we have learned a lot over the last five What are the main focus points of your years but our task is not yet finished. It takes What was your best day in Lithuania dur- activities now and what has changed, time to develop roles and responsibilities, and ing these years? comparing with the situation 5 years every time you think you have finished, a new Wow, what a tough question and, in truth, it is im- ago? Are your tasks changing or remain- project starts. possible for me to identify a single day or event. ing the same? One of our main achievements has been Every day has given me so much and I will never Currently, my main focus is maintaining our how we have been able to integrate with our forget any of the experiences I have had here in capabilities so that we can fulfil our mission as host nation. The closeness of our relationship Lithuania. As an example, during our many com- a NATO’s Forward Coordinating Element in

INAUGURATION NFIU LTU, located at the HQ of the Joint Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces in Vilnius, official inauguration ceremony was held on September 3, 2015. It was attended by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė.

14 Lithuanian Military Digest NATO's presence

COMMUNITY VISITS — A UNIQUE PROJECT OF NFIU LTU

"NATO Day in the Region: Come, See, and Learn!" is a cycle of events, held for the NATO soldiers to get to know Lithuanian people in the region, tell about their mission and activities in Lithuania, remind what NATO is, what its goals are and what the importance of NATO membership to Lithuania is. NATO event in the region was started to organize to com- memorate the 70th NATO anniversary and the 15th Lithua- nia’s anniversary in NATO. It is an original project of NFIU LTU (it’s the only NFIU, conducting community visits like this). "Communication with the people of Lithuania, seek- ing common goals is one of the key priorities of the NATO Force Integration Unit in Lithuania. To us, the ones who Lithuania and, through coordination The Unit currently has representatives are responsible for NATO force redeployment, knowledge with Lithuanian authorities, improve from 14 nations and, if possible, I would of the people and terrain is critical. We have visited nearly the Alliance’s ability to respond to any like to have more nations represented. half of Lithuania’s municipalities and familiarized them with aggression. While there are challenges associated our activities during our four years here," Commander of the In addition, as we are now 5 years with working in a multinational envi- NATO Force Integration Unit since its inauguration in 2015 old I want the Unit to continue to de- ronment, they are not insurmountable Danish Army Col Jakob Søgård Larsen says. velop and to be even better prepared and nor can they be avoided, as NATO First events of the cycle have been held in Varėna, and active than before. This means that is, by its nature, multinational. By creat- Merkinė, Rokiškis and Anykščiai in 2019. Allies were meet- we must implement the lessons we have ing an environment that is built upon ing with local residents, showing their equipment and weap- learned during the last 5 years because a shared sense of mission, an ‘esprit de onry, and also familiarized with the environs, famous sites, if we fail to adapt and learn from the corps’, the teamwork inside the unit is community activities, visit and honor military burial places. past we will give the advantage to our what allows us to be so successful and During NATO Days residents and administration of dif- adversaries. underlines our moto highlights ‘To- ferent regions were able to meet with soldiers, listen to lec- gether We Win’. tures about the world’s strongest military Alliance and took How did the Corona virus pan- Teamwork and corporation are vi- part in discussions, also to viewed weaponry, equipment and demic affect the performance of tal and, for me, these principles are not gear used by the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the NATO NFIU LTU? only essential within a multinational forward Presence Battalion Battle Group (NATO eFP BG). It did not affect our performance or environment but also within national Led by NFIU LTU, this activity also involved many dif- our ability to deliver our mission but, environments, which can often be as ferent LTU entities (MOD, LTU Armed Forces, Mobiliza- nevertheless, we have still needed to challenging to work in. Everything is tion Department, Riflemen Union, etc.) and NATO enti- adapt to the situation. Like most or- about creating the right conditions and ties — NATO eFP BG, US forces, Baltic Air Policing, etc. ganisations, we reduced travelling and atmosphere and to fulfil the mission in Due to Coronavirus pandemic this project was stopped, direct social contact with those outside a professional and proactive way. after visiting 31 municipalities out of 60 in Lithuania, but it the Unit and instead exploited modern may be re-started in the future, according to situation. technology and innovation, such as What are the future plans for FaceTime, Zoom, etc. NFIU LTU activities? While it is important not to down- To continue to be a permanent, visible play the impact of Corona virus, it has and engaged Headquarters that adds provided an opportunity for my Unit to value to both NATO and Lithuania understand the challenges we will face and is always able to deliver its mis- in similar crises, which we will use to sion. In addition, we continue develop- further improve our ability to deliver ing ourselves and seek to increase the our mission. We have learned a lot from value that we are able to our assigned the current environment and what we tasks and mission — just like our Li- must do to remain operational. thuanian counterparts. As long as both Lithuania and this Unit move forward Troops from 16 NATO nations together the security of Lithuania will serve in NFIU LTU, if I am not continue to improve day by day. In the end of 2019 NFIU LTU was awarded with "The Weaver’s mistaken. Is it difficult or easy to Knot" for "NATO Day in the Region: Come, See, and Learn!" work together in a multinational By Ilona Skujaitė project during the annually awards for the best Public Relation civil and military initiatives, established by the Ministry of environment? Is the staff of NFIU Photo credits: NFIU LTU, Defence of Lithuania. LTU changing frequently? Alfredas Pliadis (MoD)

December 2020. No 12. 15 The discount is applicable only upon presentation of a service National Defence System employees card. (soldiers, civil servants and employees Conditions and applicable discounts may change. working under an employment contract) There are additional conditions. * Expositions are free of charge to the Lithuanian Military Academy Soldiers of the Permanent Mandatory (LMA)** cadets, Permanent Mandatory Initial Military Service (PMIMS) Initial Military Service soldiers serving in the LMA, and soldiers from the Gediminas Headquar- ters Battalion (GHB). Coordinate with the regional Conscription and recruiting service de- Members of the Lithuanian partment.*** Riflemen’s Union Due to a match of the football club "Atlantas" coordinate with the Grand Duke**** Butigeidis Dragoon Battalion's S5 division of the Motorized Infantry Bri- Lithuanian soldiers gade "Samogitia". Due to a match of the basketball club "Neptūnas" coordinate with the National Defence Volunteer Force’s S5 division of the Samogitia district 3rd team. Due to a match of the football club "Sūduva" coordinate with the Lithu- Soldiers of the National Defence Volun- anian Grand Duke Vytenis General Support Logistics Battalion’s S5 division. teer Forces ***** The discount is applicable to persons who serve or have served in the Lithuanian Armed Forces, also to those who are in the prepared personnel NATO soldiers reserve of the Lithuanian Armed Forces (for the entire study period both for the first and second cycle studies). The discount is applicable on February 16, March 11, July 6, and Negotiation issues November****** 23.

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December 2020. No 12. 17 Special Lithuanian Marked Military Weapons. Part II

DURING THE TIMES OF THE 1ST REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA (1918–1940), THE LITHUANIAN GOVERNMENT SELECTED THE FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE AS ONE OF THE WEAPONS PROVIDERS DUE TO THEIR PROVEN PRODUCT, RELIABILITY, AND WILLINGNESS TO SELL TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY.

Lithuanian Mauser rifle with Intertwined Script FN and "Mod 24L" recevier designation.

18 Lithuanian Military Digest Special

FABRIQUE NATIONALE (FN) SCRIPT LITHUANIAN RECEIVER MARKED RIFLES urely, the existing supply of already made FN Model 1924 Mauser export rifles was not very large and would have Squickly been exhausted. From an examination of surviving weapons appears that FN began adding a Lithuanian designation to arms being made on their weapons contract. It appears the weapons initially made for the Lithuanian government continued to bear the FN oval script logo, but the position where the logo formerly appear was slight raised in order to make room for the addition of a "Mod. L 24" designation clearing indicating the weapon was a Model 1924 rifle being made on the Lithuanian con- Mauser presentation ceremony of the Weapon Fund of Lithuania. tract. The noted Mauser rifle author, John W. D. Ball, in his work Mauser Military Rifles of the World, Gun Digest Books, Iola, Wisconsin, 2006, indicates his research concerning Fab- rique Nationale Mauser marked with a script "FN" logo on their receiver were only made for China and Lithuania. Ball notes that Chi- na purchased some 24,220 FN Mauser rifles from FN during the 1935–1936 period and an additional 164,500 Mauser rifles during the 1937–1939 period of various model. He then presents some excellent photographs of China made Mauser rifles and includes a photograph of a FN Model 1930 short rifle bearing the firm’s oval enclosed script FN logo over the date 1938. Regrettably, Ball does not provide any information concerning the reason for his conclusion that this weapon was supplied to the Chinese other than citing a large number of Mausers sent to China and the date of this Members of Lithuanian Riflemen Union with Nagents and Mausers in 1920. weapon falling into that supply period. Ball does note that no rifle in his China section can be cited with a 100 percent certainty to be associated with a Chinese contract. Under his Lithuanian section, Ball presents a similar manufactured weapon bearing the identical oval enclosed script "FN" logo over the marking "Mod. L 24", which he attributes to having been made for Lithuania. Although very little is known concerning these early oval enclosed script FN logo Mau- sers, it is this authors contention that such weapons were not specifically manufactured for anyone country, but as stock weapons made in advance which were used to supply weapons as desired by a purchaser. As a result, it is be- lieved such weapons were probably not only supplied to China and Lithuania, but any other small purchasers. Likewise, it is felts some of these oval enclosed script FN logo Mausers Rifle-Lithuanian Mauser Artilery crew. were probably initially supplied to Lithuania

December 2020. No 12. 19 Special

before they entered into a contract to have additional weapons made specifically under contract to them. The earliest noted Lithuanian oval enclosed script FN logo over Mod. 24 L (Lithuania) weapon bears serial number 370 and the high- est serial number 20,251. An examination of the specimens indicates that the stamp used to make the oval Script FN logo over the Mod. 24 L mark is identical in side to that used on the firm’s previously cited export model rifles. The utilized logo appears simply to have been raise to make room for the addition of the "Mod 24 L" designation. The previously described FN factory designation and factory inspector’s stamp mark continue to be placed on the left FN Model 1924 Rifle Serial Number 18,149 side markings with wood forearm removed. side of the receiver. The only major noted differences from the previously discussed export model rifles markings was the elimination of the previously used Liege factory proof designations from the left side of the receiver and the transferring the weapon’s serial number from the right to the left side of the receiver. The moved serial number now appears immediately after the factory inspector’s mark in the same place where the Liege factory proof designations formerly ap- peared. The examined weapon bears a Star over the letter "A" factory inspector’s mark followed by the 18,149 serial number designation. The Liege required factory designation marks con- sisting of Liege "Perrin" or tower like mark and crowed oval with LEG initials followed by the weapon’s serial number are now stamped on the left side of the barrel and visible only upon removing the wood cover front hand protector is in the above photograph. Unfortunately, the examined weapon Lithuanian soldiers of the interwar period: Weapons Cleaning. does not have a matching bolt, but its bolt bears the serial number 18,394 tends to indicate that some type of mix up occurred a long time ago. The author has been advised by several pre-war Lithuanian veterans that no special effort was made to reassemble striped down weapons when reassembled as all of their parts were totally interchangeable. The examined bolt bears a stamped serial number 18,394 and a Star over the letter "S" inspector mark. It was noted that a match serial number has been stamped into the weapon’s wooden stock immediately below its receiver serial number. Although utilized numbers stamp appear con- sistent in design with the smaller stamp number appearing on the weapon’s metal parts this number may have been added at some later date in time. Lithuanian- Belgian Mauser assigned to sports team. The lack of comparison weapons precludes

20 Lithuanian Military Digest Special

many deductions from being positively made about these weapons. Still, from the observed weapons it is obvious that the same oval script FN export logo continued to be used on the early produced Lithuanian contract weapons. The only difference between the two being the logo was slightly raised on the receiver to accommodate the addition of the Lithuanian Mod. 24L designation and the moving of the serial number from the right to the left side of the barrel and receiver. Although no obvious Lithuanian inspector or proof markings appear on this weapon, an interesting stamp mark was noted that could FN Lithuanian Pillar of Gediminas receiver marked rifles possibly be such a Lithuanian ordnance mark. The examined Lithuanian Mauser, serial num- rear sight spring. These are the same locations FN LITHUANIAN PILLAR OF ber 18,149, bears several small letter "A" inside where small Pillar of Gediminas proof marks GEDIMINAS RECEIVER MARKED a square, which are stamped on various parts have been noted. It is the author’s unproved RIFLES where Lithuanian Pillar of Gediminas proof conjecture that the small letter "A" inside a Available information tends to indicate that marks appear on later made weapons. The not- square described proof mark could be a precur- the thousand or two FN Model 1924 Mauser ed stamped appears on the barrel, inside of the sor to the later used Pillar of Gediminas inspec- rifles delivered to the Lithuanian government weapon’s adjustable rear sight arm, and on the tor’s mark. would have been taking from the firm’s existing stock of weapons and therefore would have born the firm’s oval Script FN export logo. After the firm’s existing stock of weapons was depleted they began producing rifles bearing the same logo with the addition of a "Mod 24L" receiver designation. From an examination of surviving Lithuanian made Model 1924 Rifles it appears that this logo change occurred around the 20,000 serial number range. At that time, the earlier used oval Script FN export logo over the Mod 24L designation was dis- continued and that logo replaced with a Pil- lar of Gediminas insignia over a simple "24 L" designation. The previously noted FN factory inspector’s mark, serial number, and manufac- ture’s designation continued to be used on the left side of these Pillar of Gediminas receiver marked weapons. The earliest author noted Pil- lar of Gediminas over 24L receiver marked FN FN Model 1924 Rifle Serial Number 21,543 receiver side markings. Model 1924 Mauser Rifle bears serial number

FN Model 1924 Rifle receiver with Lithuanian Pillar of Gediminas and 24L markings.

December 2020. No 12. 21 Special

20,412 bearing Star over the letter "S" Inspec- tor initial. The left side of the above illustrated FN Model 1924 Pillar of Gediminas marked Mau- ser rifle receiver bears a standard type FN inspector’s mark, in this case a stamped Star over the letter "B", followed its serial number serial number 21,543 and FN factory manufacturer’s designation. Stamped on the barrel of the weapons which appears under its wood front hand guard connecting the illustrated receiver appears the same Star over the letter "B" inspector’s mark, a Liege crowed LEG oval identifica- tion mark, and serial number. The examined weapon also bears a match serial number stamped into the right rear side of its wooden stock. These numbers are very erratic in appears that give little doubt that they were not hand stamped one number at a time FN Model 1924 Rifle Liege Proof and barrel Serial Number markings. with the last number even have been struck with such a blow to leave an indentation of the stamps core. The author suspects this number may have been placed on the rifle at a later day possibly due to some type of government im- portation requirement. It is known at some point, the Lithuanian Ordnance Service sent one of their own officers to Liege to supervise the inspection of its FN weapons. Although his specific duties are unknown traditionally such officer are assigned to individual inspect weapons to insure that it meet the conditions of the contract and that each weapon was functional and fired without issue. There after inspection officers traditional placed an inspection mark on each of the weapons he examined. Many FN Lithuanian Mauser rifles in the higher serial number range bear small Pillar of Gediminas stamp marks on barrels, receivers, rear sights, and loading bolts, which is clearly indicative of a Lithuanian inspector examination and his inspection ap- FN Model 1924 Rifle Serial Number 21,543 stock serial markings. proval.

22 Lithuanian Military Digest Special

FN Model 1924 Rifle small Pillar of Gediminas inspector stamp found on miscellaneous parts.

A few additional comments should be unknown letter proof mark has been noted bears the Pillar of Gediminas over 24L receiver made concerning the small-observed Pillar stamped where such Pillar stamp proof marks designation along with a small FN Star over the of Gediminas proof marks. At some point the are noted on later made weapons. This was the letter "Y" inspector’s mark, followed by the se- use of the small stamped Pillar of Gediminas case with the previously discussed oval Script rial number on the left side of the receiver and proof mark become the norm on the barrel, FN logo over Mod 24 L marked weapon which the same factory inspector’s mark, Liege crown inside rear sight, sight spring, and bottom of did not bear any Pillar proof marks, but had a oval LEG, and serial number on the barrel un- the bolt arm of Lithuanian FN contract rifles. small letter "B" inside a small square on parts der the wood front arm protector. Small Pillar of Occasionally this mark is also found on other where the Pillar marks will later be observed. Gediminas stamps appear on the barrel and rear parts of the rifle. It should be noted whereas It is the author’s supposition that such small sight. The bolt is not matching and although it the larger FN receiver Pillar of Gediminas mark letter enclosed squares are individual Lithua- again bears a close serial number 34,721 along appears is struck with a wide double line for- nian inspector’s marks used prior to the adop- with a Star over "A" and small letter "C" inside a mat, the smaller proof stamp consist of single tion of one standardized Lithuanian inspector’s small circle stamp. The utilization of the small formed lines. In the case of the receiver Pillar of mark. It further noted that such letter squares Pillar proof mark on their barrels, rear sights, Gediminas mark the insignia takes a rectangu- continued to appear with the cited small Pillar sight springs, and bolts appears to have become lar like shape whereas the smaller stamped pil- mark on early serial number Pillar of Gedimi- common practice with Pillar of Gediminas over lars appear to form more of a square like shape. nas receiver marked weapons. 24 L marked receiver weapons made in the In both cases the top three towers of the pillar The standardized Pillar of Gediminas in- 35,000 to 65,000 serial number range. marking are equal in height. See the below lis- spector’s stamp appears to have begun being ted photograph of the smaller proof like stamp used somewhere in the 25,000 to 35,000 serial TO BE CONTINUED marking. number range after which time the cited letter It is further noted that the small described squares marking seem to no longer be in use. By Henry L. Gaidis Pillar of Gediminas proof mark does not ap- The earliest use of the small Pillar of Gediminas Photo credits: Vytautas the Great War Museum, pear on examined early made FN Lithuanian stamp noted by the author occurs on a weapon Gaidis archives, Emilija Treinė, Mauser Model 1924 Rifles, although a small bearing serial number 34,820. This weapon Banionis Collection

December 2020. No 12. 23 Photo credit: archive of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf

24 Lithuanian Military Digest