International operations and training missions

Approximately 90 Lithuanian soldiers are currently participating in twelve international operations and European Union training missions:

• 47 soldiers are serving in the United Nations Operation Minusma in Mali: 3 staff officers are on mission at the operation headquarters (Timbuktu, Bamako), 42 soldiers are on the force protection unit in the German contingent (Gao), 2 soldiers were deployed to carry out national support tasks (Gao). The valid mandate of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania¹ is up to 50 soldiers and civilians.
• 1 staff officer is serving in the European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM MALI) Force Headquarters in Bamako. The valid mandate of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania is up to 11 soldiers and civilians.
• 1 staff officer is serving in the European Union Training Mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA) Force Headquarters in Bangui. The valid mandate of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania is up to 11 soldiers and civilians.
• 2 staff officers are serving in the European Union Training Mission in the Mozambique (EUTM Mozambique) Force Headquarters in Maputo. The valid mandate of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania is up to 11 soldiers and civilians.
• 2 soldiers areserving in the EU Naval Counter-Piracy Operation ATALANTA: 1 officer in headquarters in Rota (Kingdom of Spain) and 1 specialist in the operation support element Djibouti. The valid mandate of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania is up to 30 soldiers and civilians.
• 1 officer serving in the EUNAVFOR MED Operation IRINI in Rome. The valid mandate of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania is up to 20 soldiers and civilians.
• 2 soldiers are serving in the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) at the operation headquarters at the United States military base in Baghdad. The valid mandate of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania is up to 50 soldiers and civilians.
• 1 soldier is serving in the NATO Operation in Kosovo (KFOR) logistics unit at the operation headquarters in Pristina. The valid mandate of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania is up to 5 soldiers and civilians.
• 18 soldiers are serving in UK-led multinational military operation to train and support the Armed Forces of Ukraine „Interflex“. The valid mandate of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania is up to 25 soldiers and civilians.
• Two courses in Lithuania being provided under European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine. The valid mandate of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania is up to 40 soldiers and civilians.
• Up to 5 military instructors provide training to Ukrainian soldiers in NATO state courses.

 [1] Resolution No. XIV-782 of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania of 16 December 2021 “On the Participation of Military Units of the Republic of Lithuania in International Operations”.

The Lithuanian Armed Forces are given the mandate to participate in international operations by means of a resolution adopted by the Parliament (Seimas) of the Republic of Lithuania. Lithuania’s military contribution is subject to the needs of a specific operation and the available military capabilities. Resolution No. XIV-782 of the Seimas dated 16 December 2021 (ammended on 23 December 2022) approved the maximum number of the military personnel able to take part in international operations until the end of 2023 as follows:

• in NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) – up 50 military and civilian personnel members;
• in NATO-led operation in Kosovo (KFOR) – up to 5 military and civilian personnel members;
• in EU-led anti-piracy EU NAVFOR operation ATALANTA – up to 30 military and civilian personnel members;
• in EU-led operation EU NAVFOR MED operation IRINI – up to 20 military and civilian personnel members;
• in EU-led training mission in Mali (EUTM MALI) – up to 11 military and civilian personnel members;
• in EU-led training mission in Central African Republic (EUTM RCA) – up to 11 military and civilian personnel members;
• in EU-led training mission in Mozambique (EUTM Mozambique) – up to 11 military and civilian personnel members;
• in UN-led operation in the Republic of Mali (MINUSMA) – up to 50 military and civilian personnel members;
• in US-led operation “Inherent Resolve” (OIR) – up to 40 military and civilian personnel members;
• in operation “International Maritime Security Construct” (IMSC) in the strait of Hormuz – up to 5 military and civilian personnel members;
• in operation for training Ukrainian Armed Forces – up to 60 military and civilian personnel members;
• in France-led operation task force “Takuba”  – up to 30 military and civilian personnel members;
• in EU-led military assistance mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) – up to 40 military and civilian personnel members;
• in UK-led multinational military operation to train and support the Armed Forces of Ukraine „Interflex“ – up to 25 military and civilian personnel members.