Lithuania Launches Comprehensive Armed Forces Exercises
Lithuania’s Armed Forces have kicked off a significant series of international training exercises along NATO’s eastern border, coinciding with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This large-scale operation involves around 8,000 personnel from Lithuania and its NATO allies, alongside a vast array of military assets, including over a thousand tactical vehicles and numerous aircraft and ships. The exercises aim to hone skills in planning and executing both defensive and offensive operations across multiple levels, with portions of the training open for local residents to observe.
Supporting these extensive maneuvers, the German Air Force is contributing 30 helicopters, including specialized types such as the Tigers, CH-53 Sea Stallions, NH90s, and EC135s, which will operate in exercise locations and nearby border areas. According to General Raimundas Vaikšnoras, the Chief of Defence of Lithuania, this substantial training effort reflects a robust collaboration among Lithuanian and allied forces across land, air, and maritime environments, emphasizing their readiness to respond collectively and reinforcing NATO’s commitment to safeguard its members.
A Month of Diverse Military Drills
The month-long exercises are set to feature several distinct operations, including Iron Wolf 2025, Swift Response 2025, Strong Shield 5, and Thunder Fortress 2025. Each of these drills is designed to develop particular strategies that bolster the security of the eastern flank and adjacent territories. Iron Wolf 2025 will see approximately 3,700 troops, along with 700 vehicles, drawn from Lithuania’s Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf, a crucial mechanized unit headquartered in Rukla, integrated within NATO’s Multinational Battlegroup.
Commencing in mid-May, Swift Response 2025 will simulate an airborne assault conducted by the US Air Force’s 173rd Air Assault Brigade, involving the airlift of approximately 1,700 US troops from bases in France and Italy. Following this, Strong Shield 5, under the supervision of the Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Force, will gather 1,000 soldiers from Lithuania, Latvia, and Portugal to enhance interoperability between primary and support units in shared operational environments. Concurrently, Thunder Fortress will offer a practical overview of operational orders informed by the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ real-world planning, leading up to the concluding Thunder Strike exercise, which will test the collaborative tactics and lessons learned among allied forces across various locations in Lithuania.
Focus on Emergency Preparedness and Mine Countermeasures
In addition to the major exercises, smaller yet vital operations will take place, including Storm Defence in Klaipėda and Neringa, which will emphasize port operations essential during crises alongside the Lithuanian Harbor Protection and Coastal Defence Service and international specialists from Portugal and beyond. This comprehensive approach highlights Lithuania’s commitment to maritime security amid heightened tensions.
Furthermore, from now until May 23, the Open Spirit/EODEX exercise in Klaipėda will see the participation of 13 vessels and explosive ordnance disposal divers from 14 allied nations, focusing on minehunting and explosive neutralization operations. Complementing these efforts, the Amber Arrow exercise will engage the Lithuanian Air Force’s Air Defence Battalion in live-fire training, targeting airborne threats. These initiatives will culminate in a final drill featuring HIMARS air defense systems operated by both Lithuanian and US forces, reinforcing the collective defense capabilities of NATO.
