Lithuania is preparing for one of its largest military exercises yet, set to kick off with the participation of over 20,000 Lithuanian and allied troops, alongside a substantial array of military equipment.
Over the next few months, approximately 2,500 active reserve troops will be summoned to participate in the exercise. Additionally, thousands more will undergo a brief information verification process. As part of the exercise, temporary curfews will be enforced in specific areas of Vilnius and Kaunas.
According to General Valdemaras Rupšys, Lithuania’s chief of defense, the movement of military equipment will see a significant uptick, particularly with the arrival of several thousand German troops along with their weaponry.
The public has been advised to exercise caution, with measures also being implemented to counter-espionage and potential provocations along Lithuania’s borders.
“Those risks, presumably, we can manage. If they are unmanageable, we will react accordingly. The protection measures, the unit protection measures, the rapid reaction force remain on standby as planned despite all those exercises,” said Rupšys.
According to General Valdemaras Rupšys, Lithuania’s chief of defense, the movement of military equipment will see a significant uptick, particularly with the arrival of several thousand German troops along with their weaponry.
The public has been advised to exercise caution, with measures also being implemented to counter-espionage and potential provocations along Lithuania’s borders.
“Those risks, presumably, we can manage. If they are unmanageable, we will react accordingly. The protection measures, the unit protection measures, the rapid reaction force remain on standby as planned despite all those exercises,” said Rupšys.
The exercise may impact civilian life in certain areas, such as temporary curfews in selected urban areas and the temporary conversion of certain industrial zones into military territory, but it will mobilize approximately 10,000 reserve troops. Of these, 2,500 will actively participate in the exercise, 2,000 will update their information, and the remainder will await further instructions.
During these exercises, the commandant’s offices will undergo testing for the first time, with Col. Žilvinas Gaubys, deputy chief of defense staff for operations, highlighting the training of active reserve soldiers in various procedures and the transition to wartime structures.
“During Thunder Storm 2024, we will be inviting active reserve soldiers to train procedures, algorithms, and, equally, the transformation of draft into call-up centers, through which the public, the active reserve soldiers will enter the Lithuanian Armed Forces and be integrated into the structure,” says Col. Žilvinas Gaubys, deputy chief of defense staff for operations.
During these exercises, the commandant’s offices will undergo testing for the first time, with Col. Žilvinas Gaubys, deputy chief of defense staff for operations, highlighting the training of active reserve soldiers in various procedures and the transition to wartime structures.
“During Thunder Storm 2024, we will be inviting active reserve soldiers to train procedures, algorithms, and, equally, the transformation of draft into call-up centers, through which the public, the active reserve soldiers will enter the Lithuanian Armed Forces and be integrated into the structure,” says Col. Žilvinas Gaubys, deputy chief of defense staff for operations.
In May, Lithuanian artillery units will conduct a HIMARS firing drill as part of a rapid response exercise alongside American troops.
Additionally, NATO Air Police will play a role in the maneuvers, while Dutch troops will introduce the PATRIOT air defense system for a temporary deployment.
Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas stressed the need for increased air defense capabilities, citing shortages in Western allies and ongoing discussions about rotating air defense systems to Lithuania.
“The problem in both directions is one and the same – the deficit of air defense systems in the West. Whether it is a deficit in medium-range systems or, if we look further, in long-range systems. We are leaning on the defense industry, which needs to be fired up in order to give us more of those systems.”
NATO’s largest exercise since 1988 aims to test Article 5 scenarios, although Russia has repeatedly denounced it as provocative.
Additionally, NATO Air Police will play a role in the maneuvers, while Dutch troops will introduce the PATRIOT air defense system for a temporary deployment.
Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas stressed the need for increased air defense capabilities, citing shortages in Western allies and ongoing discussions about rotating air defense systems to Lithuania.
“The problem in both directions is one and the same – the deficit of air defense systems in the West. Whether it is a deficit in medium-range systems or, if we look further, in long-range systems. We are leaning on the defense industry, which needs to be fired up in order to give us more of those systems.”
NATO’s largest exercise since 1988 aims to test Article 5 scenarios, although Russia has repeatedly denounced it as provocative.
Source: TVP World, lrt.lt
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