Units of the Lithuanian Armed Forces will assist in ensuring security during the NATO Summit and through preparations on July 7–13 by ordinance of the Minister of National Defence. The decisions has been taken in response to a Ministry of Internal Affairs request.
An ad hoc NATO Summit military security task force has been formed that comprises maritime, land, special forces, military combat support and logistical support units. In total, 3 thousand Lithuanian troops and up to 1 thousand NATO troops will be activated for security role throughout the NATO Summit.
“Citizens and guests of Lithuania will be seeing Lithuanian military personnel not just in Vilnius but also in other locations around the country. Troops will be invoked for critical object and significant infrastructure, bridges, overpasses, protection tasks, as well as in support of other institutions by conducting search for explosives, air defence and surveillance tasks. Military personnel will also drive the vehicles in foreign delegation corteges and ensure other specific tasks,” says Lt Col Liutauras Bagočiūnas, commander of the NATO Summit military protection tasks force.
Besides, the border crossing areas of Vilnius and Varėna will be reinforced with several dozen troops in addition to the Aras anti-terrorist operations unit police officers and State Border Guard Service under the Ministry of the Interior officers.
Also, NATO Allies support security tasks with currently ongoing deployment of PATRIOT long-range air defence systems and NASAMS mid-range air defence systems. Other capabilities employed to ensure security are for CBRN monitoring and decontamination and combat drone jamming. Allied support will integrate in the overall architecture with the other public institutions and the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
“The Lithuanian Armed Forces has a wealth of experience in joint service with the Allies in international operations and headquarters which makes us more fir for effective and precision planning and proper implementation these very important tasks we will conduct together,” says Lt Col L. Bagočiūnas.
Servicemembers of the Lithuanian Armed Forces will be armed and in gear and uniforms. The Lithuanian Armed Forces acts in line with the legislation in force as it contributes to the NATO Summit security and cooperates with other public institutions. Despite the engagement in event security, the Lithuanian Armed Forces will continue ensuring its main tasks. ,
Photo credit: Lithuanian Armed Forces / Capt T. Čerikas
