MARCH 2019. NO 3 (10). NEWS OBJECTS OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPED ON U.S. FUNDS TRANSFERRED TO LITHUANIA EUROPEAN DISPUTE OVER ARMS EXPORTS TESTS GERMANY’S STANCE OF 'NEIN!' Photo credits: www.flickr.com credits: Photo NATO’s Internal Rifts Emerge NATO'S PRESENCE as Powerful Subtext in Munich LITHUANIAN LAND FORCE COMMANDER: THEY MAKE GERMANY’S DEFENSE MINISTER HAS URGED FELLOW NATO A BOND WITH THE ENTIRE LEADERS TO SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE IN THEIR APPROACH TO LITHUANIA ONGOING CRISES, BRINGING TO THE FOREFRONT THE SIMMERING PROBLEM OF DIVERGING IDEAS THREATENING TO SPLIT THE ALLIANCE FROM WITHIN. f course, NATO is about claimed. "That’s because every member un- cash, capabilities and con- equivocally stands by Article 5, and because tributions," Ursula von der we stand by our weakest ally just as much as "OLeyen said. "But it’s also about dignity, de- we stand by our strongest." cency and dependability. Only if we can unify That statement brings to mind Trump’s those aspects can we preserve NATO’s cohe- comments last summer questioning that sion and inner strength." NATO should come to the aid of a "tiny SPECIAL Her comments may be meant partly to country" like alliance member Montenegro. mask the fact that Germany still has no plan Von der Leyen argued that fairness in GLOBEMASTER, PARACHUTES to reach an alliance-wide military spending NATO should extend not only to financial bur- AND 10 KM HEIGHT goal by 2024. But they also come as funda- den-sharing but also to political decision-mak- mental disagreements between the Trump ing. "For all our missions, we go by the princi- administration and Europe continue to ding ple, ‘in together, out together.’" That comment the alliance’s credibility. On top of that, gov- speaks to the perception here that the Trump ernments ostracized on the continent for administration made plans to withdraw from their non-democratic leanings — like Hunga- Syria and reduce the U.S. troop presence in Af- ry or Poland — angle to find a kindred spirit ghanistan without consulting allies. in U.S. President Donald Trump and convert Veteran U.S. diplomats Douglas Lute and that bond into security guarantees indepen- Nicholas Burns outlined what they termed dent of NATO. "challenges from within" to the alliance in a "In NATO, we are more than partners; new report by the Harvard Kennedy School’s we are allies," the German defense chief pro- See page 6 Dear readers of the "Lithuanian Military Digest", Content Our country have just celebrated another anniversary of Free- NEWS dom with which we entered the second century of Independence. Every year, the end of winter and the beginning of spring reminds NATO’S INTERNAL RIFTS EMERGE AS POWERFUL us on how our homeland was built, where the Freedom came SUBTEXT IN MUNICH..................................................................1,6 from and what path had to be went not only by the Lithuanian people but also by the Lithuanian Armed Forces in order to live under their own democratic system. OBJECTS OF INFRASTRUCTURE On February 16, 1918, the Council of Lithuania signed the DEVELOPED ON U.S. FUNDS TRANSFERRED Declaration which marks the restoration of Independence of Lith- TO LITHUANIA....................................................................................3 uania after many years of Russian occupation. However, agree- ments did not last too long and cruel fighting continued. In 1940, EUROPEAN DISPUTE OVER ARMS breaking the period of independence, Soviets occupied Lithuania EXPORTS TESTS GERMANY’S STANCE once again. OF 'NEIN!'............................................................................................4,5 Nevertheless, we wish to emphasize that this year is extremely important to us, because on February 16, 1949, eight Lithuanian JAVELIN ANTI-TANK MISSILE SYSTEM STOCKS partisan leaders signed a second Declaration of Independence un- SUPPLEMENTED.................................................................................5 der the conditions of war. Just image how difficult it should have been for those forest brothers when the fights with hundreds of NATO HAS TO BE PREPARED FOR NEW thousands troops of occupant’s army and the People’s Commis- sariat for State Security (NKGB) were taking place. Partisan lead- CHALLENGES.......................................................................................6 ers committed to gather in a tiny, just 2 meters wide, 3 meters long and 1.35 meters high bunker during cold winter, be in session for PROCUREMENT OF ARMOURED TACTICAL a week and adopt a document which is a valid legal act of the Re- VEHICLES................................................................................................7 public of Lithuania even today. Now we would like to invite you to mark another celebration DEFENCE COOPERATION OF LITHUANIA and for the 29th time to meet March 11th, when in 1990 the rep- AND POLAND IS STEPPED UP......................................................8 resentatives of the whole Lithuanian nation announced dropping down the chains of Russian-Soviet occupation. LITHUANIA AND UKRAINE SIGNED DEFENCE With this being said, we are happy and proud to be able to com- COOPERATION PLAN FOR 2019................................................9 memorate these important days with you, Lithuania’s allies and partners. Today, you are an integral part of this precious treasure NATO'S PRESENCE of ours — Freedom. LITHUANIAN LAND FORCE COMMANDER: Have a pleasant reading, THEY MAKE A BOND WITH THE ENTIRE Team of the "Lithuanian Military Digest" LITHUANIA.........................................................................................10 SPECIAL GLOBEMASTER, PARACHUTES AND 10 KM HEIGHT..................................................................................................16 Military Press Office of Lithuanian Armed Forces Totorių str. 25, LT-01121, Vilnius; Phone (370 5) 210 3897, GSM (370 6) 28 75851; fax (370 5) 273 5550; Kotryna Gurevičiūtė Correspondent Phone (370 5) 210 3897, GSM (370 6) 28 75851; fax (370 5) 273 5550; Email [email protected] Publisher — Lithuanian Armed Forces. The opinion of editorial office does not necessarily coin- 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, Domeikava, LT-54359 Kaunas dist. Order GL-135. Photo credit: Lithuanian Special Archive Special credit: Lithuanian Photo February 16, 1949: Lithuanian partisan leaders sign the Declaration of the Council of the Lithuanian Freedom Fight Movement (LLKS). 2 Lithuanian Military Digest News Objects of Infrastructure Developed on U.S. Funds Transferred to Lithuania bjects of infrastructure — target po- sitions for tracked combat vehicles, fire adjustment range for tracked Ocombat vehicles and tanks, air target positions, firing range HQ, munitions storage area, ware- house — developed for the needs of Lithuania and our allies on United States funding were officially handed over to the Lithuanian Armed Forces at the Gen Silvestras Žukauskas Train- ing Area in Pabradė (Švenčionys region). The infrastructure development in the training area will facilitate readiness of allies and their interoperability with Lithuanian colleagues through training conditions, thus increase the effectiveness of deterrence and defence. The United States allotted roughly EUR 3.6 million from the Government’s European De- terrence Initiative for building six objects of in- frastructure at the Pabradė Training Area. The projects were implemented over 2017-2018. "U.S. investment in Lithuania’s military in- frastructure shows that Lithuania remains to in Lithuania Embassy of the U.S. courtesy credits: Photo be an important priority of the U.S. defence policy. Strengthening our logistical capabili- Lithuania and our NATO allies and the U.S. is stronger Europe, which is stronger NATO ties together with this partner we are providing commitment to collective defence. Likewise, and stronger United States," said Christopher ideal training conditions for combat units of we deeply appreciate Lithuania’s dedication to Chambliss, Chief of the Defense Cooperation the U.S and other NATO allies and contribute NATO, contributing both funds and personnel Office, U.S. Embassy Vilnius. to the creation of a logistical corridor for a swift to protect the territorial integrity of all allies. The handover of infrastructure objects cer- deployment of allied forces into Lithuania and The Lithuanians have been wonderful partners emony was also attended by Commander of other Baltic States. The Pabradė Training Area and hosts for the U.S. troops who are here for the Training and Doctrine Command of the is a military infrastructure with strategic im- training and exercises. European Deterrence Lithuanian Armed Forces Brig Gen Gintautas portance and the projects completed here on Initiative funding used toward the infrastruc- Zenkevičius, U.S. Army Europe Deputy Com- U.S. funds symbolise the growing potential of ture improvement will increase the readiness manding General for the Army National Guard Lithuanian Armed Forces infrastructure to en- and interoperability of Lithuania units, NATO Maj Gen John Gronski, other representatives of sure combat training and readiness of Lithua- eFP BG, and U.S. units. Stronger Lithuania the Ministry of National Defence, U.S. Embassy, nia and NATO military units," Vice Minister of and the Lithuanian and the U.S. Armed Forces. National Defence Giedrimas Jeglinskas said at The