Lithuanian Naval Force

Lithuanian Naval Force
Active	1935–1939, 1992 - present
Country	Lithuania
Branch	Lithuanian Armed Forces
Type	Navy
Role	Control, protect and defend territorial sea and exclusive economic zone.
Size	13 vessels
Garrison/HQ	Klaipėda
Anniversaries	4 July 1992, 1 September 1935
Commanders
Commander in Chief	Rear Admiral Kęstutis Macijauskas
Chief of Staff	Commander Arūnas Mockus
Insignia
The naval ensign of Lithuania

The Lithuanian Navy is the naval arm of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Though formally established on 1 August 1935 its roots stretch back as far as naval engagements on the Baltic Sea in the Medieval period. Lithuanian naval units saw some service with Soviet naval forces during World War II, and the navy has been re-established in its own right and continues to expand since Lithuania's independence in 1990.

History

Roots

Although the origin of the Lithuanian Navy dates back to the period between World War I and II, the history of the involvement in naval battles existed earlier. The Baltic tribe of Aistians that settled down in the Baltic Sea shore built ships and used them for trade as well as for military purposes. Furthermore, according to annals, in the 13th century other Baltic tribes, the Coronians and Samogitians, tried to destroy the castle of Riga coming by ships. It is also known about the Lithuanians’ victory in the ship battle in Nemunas River at the time when Duke Vytenis ruled the Duchy of Lithuania. The most known and important naval victory was achieved by great hetman Jan Karol Chodkiewicz on 24 March 1609 near Salismünde (now Salacgryva in Latvia) where he defeated Swedish fleet burning two enemy ships and losing none and hence breaking the blockade of Riga city. But generally the loss of territories near the Baltic Sea had a negative impact on Lithuanian's maritime development.^{[citation needed]}

Establishment

Interwar Lithuanian warship Prezidentas Smetona (1935)

After World War I, the Government of Lithuania attempted to establish a maritime defense force. However, due to various political and economical reasons, the maritime defense force was only partially implemented. In 1923, Lithuania regained the control of Klaipėda harbor and gradual development of the maritime defense force started. The purchase of a minesweeper in 1927 was one of the first significant steps to implement Lithuanian Government aims. The ship was commissioned as the training ship Prezidentas Smetona (President Smetona). Captain Antanas Kaskelis was assigned as ship's commanding officer. Several small boats carried out patrol duties in Klaipėda harbor. Naval officers were educated abroad. On 1 August 1935, the commander in chief of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, General Stasys Rastikis, officially established the Lithuanian Navy as a branch of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

The impact of World War II

Before the beginning of World War II on 22 March 1939 the region of Klaipėda was occupied by Germany. Once the war started Lithuanian naval ships were forced to leave Klaipėda for Liepāja harbor in Latvia. During the Soviet occupation, the Lithuanian Navy was attached to the Soviet Union's Baltic maritime defense force. The Prezidentas Smetona was renamed Korall and participated in the sea battles against the German Navy. On 11 January 1945, the ship triggered a mine and sank in the Gulf of Finland.

Development after the declaration of independence

Frigate F12 "Aukštaitis" in 1993

The honor guard of the Navy in 2008

After the declaration of independence on 11 March 1990, Lithuania had to re-establish its sovereignty as well as organize the state's defense system. From that time the units of the Lithuanian armed forces were formed. On 4 July 1992, the Lithuanian Navy was re-established. Juozapas Algis Leisis was appointed as commander of the Coast Guard Squadron.

In the fall of 1992, the Lithuanian Navy procured two Grisha class corvettes, Zemaitis (F11) and Aukstaitis (F12). After the crew training period in June 1992 both frigates participated in the international exercise US Baltops 93. This was the beginning of the international cooperation of the Lithuanian Navy with other navies.

Another milestone in Lithuanian naval history was the establishment of the Sea Coastal Surveillance Company in 1993 which later was transformed into the Sea Coastal Surveillance Service. On 1 April 2004, Lithuania became an official member of the NATO alliance. Currently the Lithuanian naval forces are undergoing rapid modernization.

Function

Main tasks of the Lithuanian Naval Force are:

• Control, protect and defend territorial sea and exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Lithuania;
• Underwater, surface surveillance and control of territorial waters;
• Mine-clearing operations;
• Antiterrorism activities at sea;
• Protection and control of shipping and sea line of communications;
• SAR operations.

Fleet

Current

Name	Picture	Origin	Class	Type	Built	Entered service (LNF)	Notes
Mine Countermeasures Squadron
N42 Jotvingis		Norway	Vidar class minelayer	Minelayer and command vessel	1977	2006	Command and support ship.[1] Former HNoMS Vidar (N52) of the Royal Norwegian Navy.
M51 Kuršis		United Kingdom	Hunt class minesweeper	Mine warfare vessel	1982	2011	Currently coming into service. Ex-M35 HMS Dulverton
M52 Sūduvis		West Germany	Lindau class minesweeper	Coastal mine warfare vessel	1957	1999	Will be replaced by Hunt class mine countermeasure vessel.
M53 Skalvis		United Kingdom	Hunt class minesweeper	Mine warfare vessel	1982	2011	Currently coming into service. Ex-M32 HMS Cottismore
Patrol Boat Squadron
P11 Žemaitis		Denmark	Flyvefisken-class patrol vessel	Multirole warship	1985	2008
P12 Dzūkas		Denmark	Flyvefisken class patrol vessel	Multirole warship	1988	2009
P14 Aukštaitis		Denmark	Flyvefisken class patrol vessel	Multirole warship	1993	2010
P32 Sėlis		Norway	Storm-class patrol boat	Fast patrol boat	1966	2001
Harbor Boat Group
Šakiai		USSR		SAR ship	1986	2009
H21		USSR		Cutter	1983	1992	Support vessel.
H22		Sweden		Tugboat	1955	2000	Can operate as iceboat.
H23 Lokys		Denmark		Cutter	1941	2005	Diving support vessel.

Planned

• Hunt class mine countermeasures vessels ^[2]:
  • HMS Cottesmore expected to enter service in 2011–2012.
  • HMS Dulverton expected to enter service in 2011–2012.

Both of the minesweepers are at A and P Falmouth for refit. Due to sail in the new year.

Retired

Name	Picture	Origin	Class	Type	Built	Entered service (LNF)	Left service (LNF)	Notes
A41 ''Vetra''		USSR	F11 ''Žemaitis''		USSR	Grisha III class corvette	Corvette	1981	1992	2008	Former MPK-108 Komsomolets Latviy. Was scrapped after decommissioning.
F12 ''Aukštaitis''		USSR	Grisha III class corvette	Corvette	1980	1992	2009	Was scrapped after decommissioning.
P31 Dzūkas		Norway	Storm-class patrol boat	Fast patrol boat	1967	1995	2007	Former P965 HNoMS Kjekk
P33 Skalvis		Norway	Storm-class patrol boat	Fast patrol boat	1967	2001	2009	Former P969 HNoMS Steil

References

1. ^ The new warship of the Lithuanian Naval Force to pier at Klaipėda seaport
2. ^ Lithuania to Get Two ex-Royal Navy Hunt-Class Minehunters

External links

• Lithuanian Naval Force official webpage

Sources

• Lithuanian Ministry of Defence site