Summary
- The Lithuanian Air Force is vital in protecting the country’s skies, with two defensive units monitoring and controlling airspace.
- The LTAF’s aviation base is located at Šiauliai International Airport (SQQ).
- The LTAF currently operates four aircraft types, but the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter is due to join soon.
While the Lithuanian Air Force (LTAF) might not be the largest, with the service branch having no actively utilized fighter jets, it still plays an integral part in protecting the skies over the country. For example, LTAF has two defensive units, namely the Air Space Surveillance and Control Command and the Air Defense Battalion. The former is based in Kaunas district, Lithuania, with its main objective to monitor and control the Lithuanian airspace, collect and pass on any information about potential threats to subjects defending the country’s airspace, such as the fighter jets stationed in the country due to the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission.
As of November 30th, 2023, the Belgian Air Component has deployed its F-16s to Šiauliai International Airport (SQQ). Meanwhile, the Air Defense Battalion is located several kilometers away from SQQ, armed with NASAMS, RBS 70, Stinger, and Grom rocket systems, as well as Sentinel and Giraffe radar systems. Still, in addition to the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission fighters, SQQ is the home of the LTAF’s aviation base, which is home to four aircraft types, including helicopters and transport aircraft.
Alenia C-27J Spartan
The twin-engined turboprop C-27J Spartan first arrived in Lithuania in December 2006, when the first transport aircraft was delivered to the LTAF at SQQ, with two additional aircraft joining in December 2008 and October 2009. According to the service branch, the Spartans allow the LTAF to transport troops, cargo, and VIP passengers with a unique modular configuration, as well as airborne landings and medical evacuations.
Photo: LTAF
The C-27J Spartan also transports Lithuania’s presidents, with the current head of state, Gitanas Nausėda, remarking that if any of the top politicians want to fly long-haul flights, they typically book commercial flights in an interview with Proto industrija.
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Let L-410 Turbolet
The Let L-410 Turbolet is another aircraft that the LTAF owns. The service branch has two of these, with the German government gifting the pair to Lithuania in 1992, shortly after the latter regained its independence following multiple decades of occupation by the Soviet Union.
Photo: LTAF
LTAF’s Turbolets were modernized in 2006, enabling them to continue service with the branch. According to the LTAF, the L-410 Turbolets are used to transport troops, cargo, and VIP personnel, execute airborne operations, monitor the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), watch the airspace, and train LTAF pilots to fly with multi-engine aircraft. Lastly, the aircraft helps train anti-aircraft personnel since it can drag airborne targets.
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Airbus AS365 Dauphin
The first of two helicopter types operated by the LTAF, the Airbus AS365 Dauphin, previously manufactured by Eurocopter, has one main goal: to participate in search and rescue (SAR) missions. Airbus delivered the first Dauphin in June 2015, with the LTAF operating three units of the type.
Photo: LTAF
In addition to SAR, the aircraft can be used for medical evacuations and organ transportation for transplants and modified to respond to wildfire cases. Typically, the LTAF uses its Mil Mi-8 helicopters to transport organs.
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Mil Mi-8
Lastly, the LTAF operates a fleet of Mil Mi-8 helicopters. Built during the Soviet Union, the LTAF now utilizes two examples, primarily for SAR, firefighting, and organ transportation operations. The LTAF has two variants: the Mi-8T and Mi-17, with the latter being the more powerful helicopter.
Photo: LTAF
However, these will be replaced with four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The Lithuanian government finalized the purchase agreement in November 2020. At the time, the Lithuanian government agreed to pay the US Government €181 million ($213 million at the time, $198 million at current conversion rates) for the quartet over five years. The first Black Hawk should arrive in Lithuania by late 2024, replacing the now-aging Mi-8s.
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