Lithuanian Air Force
The Lithuanian Air Force is the aerial branch of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. It was established on April 25, 1992, after Lithuania regained independence from the Soviet Union. The air force is primarily responsible for defending the country's airspace and supporting ground forces. Its fleet consists of various aircraft, including fighter jets, transport planes, and helicopters. Notable aircraft in its inventory include the L-39ZA Albatros, C-27J Spartan, and AS365N3 Dauphin. The air force has participated in various international exercises and operations, such as NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission and international peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan and Mali. It has also cooperated with other NATO member countries to enhance regional security. To maintain operational readiness, the air force conducts regular training and exercises, both domestically and with international partners. Additionally, it strives to modernize its capabilities by acquiring new aircraft and equipment, as well as improving its infrastructure.
Key facts
Official Name | Lithuanian Air Force |
Local Name | Lietuvos karinės oro pajėgos |
Country | 🇱🇹 Lithuania |
World rank | #135 |
Active aircrafts | 10 (as of 2024) |
Aircrafts on order | 6 |
Roundel |
Number of active aircrafts by type
Aircraft type | Active | |
---|---|---|
Transport | 5 | |
Helicopters | 5 |
Aircrafts most used by Lithuanian air forces
Aircraft | Active | Type | |
---|---|---|---|
G.222 | 3 | Italian tactical military transporter, produced during the Cold War, notably employed by NATO and UN peacekeeping missions. | |
H125M / AS550 Fennec | 3 | French military variant helicopter, notable for service in Desert Storm and Afghanistan, widely employed for scouting and light attack roles. | |
L-410 | 2 | Czech twin-engine short-range transport aircraft, deployed internationally since the 70s, used in both civil and military operations. | |
Mi-8 Hip | 2 | Soviet multipurpose helicopter, prevalent during the Cold War, extensively utilized for transport, combat and humanitarian operations globally. | |
UH-60 Black Hawk | 0 | American utility helicopter, renowned for service in Iraq and Afghanistan, extensively employed for troop transport and medical evacuation. |
Full inventory in 2024
Lithuanian Air Force
Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
---|---|---|---|
Helicopters | AS365 | ||
Mi-8 | |||
S-70/UH-60M | |||
Transport | C-27J | ||
L-410 |