Implementation of the joint Lithuanian, German, and NSPA (NATO Support and Procurement Agency) project for implementing modernisation of infrastructure of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Training Area in Pabradė has been completed. The last shipment of mobile target lifters from the Swedish manufacturer SAAB has been delivered to Lithuania earlier this week.
“This joint project of Lithuania, Germany and NSPA and collaboration of several institutions is a an instance of success and an inspiration for next objectives in upgrading training areas of the Lithuanian Armed Forces,” Vice Minister of National Defence Eimutis Misiūnas says. He also underscores that the project shows that through mediation of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency we are procuring necessary equipment for the Lithuanian Armed Forces directly from manufacturers, not brokers.
The delivered Stationary Infantry Target (SIT), Stationary Armour Targets (SAT), heavy Moving Armour Targets (MAT), low weight targets, and control systems will be installed in the multifunctional firing range and newly set up light infantry arms and infantry fighting vehicle firing ranges in the Gen Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area. The new target lifters will be used for training by Lithuanian soldiers, countries contributing to the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group, and other allies training in Lithuania.
The Federal Ministry of Defence assisted in implementation of the project to a great extent. The Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania and the Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany signed the agreement concerning the allocation of funds for infrastructure modernisation at the Gen Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area back in 2018. The agreement formed a basis for Germany to grant Lithuania a one-third contribution to procure mobile target lifters, including control and evaluation equipment. This funds for the project which has a total value of EUR 3.4 million (net of VAT) were allocated to Lithuania under the “Enabling and Enhancing the Security, Defence and Stability of Partner Countries” programme of the German Government.
Once the mobile target lifters are delivered, the shooting ranges at the Pabradė Training Area will have a state-of-the-art and reliable equipment that will significantly improve the development of both, armoured vehicle crew and individual skills.
Part of the target lifting equipment will be used at the multifunctional firing range at the Gen S.Žukauskas Training Area: by tanks and armoured vehicles for live-fire manoeuvres (up to 3 km effective range), light and dark part of the day, to create realistic battlefield conditions at the range.
“Lithuania, the same as other NATO allies, seeks to establish long-term relations with SAAB in introducing and maintaining new generation target lifters and simulators in Lithuanian Armed Forces training areas, that is why LOMAH (Location of Miss and Hit) system that shows scoring in real time and enables improving marksmanship will be tested as soon as this year. LOMAH system is planned to be introduced in 2021. Lithuania will be also the first country to install target lifting equipment in enclosed firing ranges,” project coordinator Lt Col Virginijus Kleponis says.
Other equipment used at the firing range will include moving targets, thermal panels, battle effects simulators, pyrotechnical devices, etc. The range is planned to be among the most modern training facilities in the Baltics.
Image: target lifter with LOMAH system
