On April 3 Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis and his counterparts from the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) contributing countries discussed deployment of the JEF and tested the decision-making speed and mechanism of JEF mobilisation at a table-top exercise in London. Ministers also discussed the first exercise of the JEF Maritime Component, Baltic Protector, to take place in June.
"The JEF is yet another means of deterrence and defence that contributes to the security of both, Lithuania and the region, and helps retaining a close cooperation with our allies. Exercise Baltic Protector which will be held this summer demonstrates the ability of the high-readiness force to support the assurance measures in the Baltic region, Minister of National Defence R. Karoblis said.
Exercise Baltic Protector will involve 3 thousand soldiers and 20 warships from all the JEF countries. One of the training phases is planned to take place on the Lithuanian coastline where troops will conduct maritime tactical exercises, shore landings and other amphibious drills. Defence Ministers of the JEF countries are planned to convene in Klaipėda in late June.
"As Britain prepares to leave the EU, our unwavering commitment to European security and stability is more important than ever. Deploying our world class sailors and marines to the Baltic Sea, alongside our international allies, firmly underlines Britain's leading role in Europe," UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said.
The Joint Expeditionary Force is a high-readiness 10 thousand-strong multinational unit formed to respond to crises in Europe and beyond. The force reached full operational capability last summer, it is led by the UK and eight more countries, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, and Sweden, are contributing.
The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania has mandated deployment of Lithuanian military capabilities to operations in composition of the NATO Response Force, EU Battle Groups, and the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, therefore as soon as there is a political decision, there is a legal basis at the ready to send our soldiers to ensure crisis management.
One Lithuanian officer has been serving at the JEF operational HQ in Northwood, UK, since early 2016. A company-sized Lithuanian unit assigned to the JEF is attached to the Danish Army Battle Group, and one military medic is assigned to the UK field hospital. The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania mandated assignment of up to 190 civilian and military personnel to the JEF this year.
Photo credit: MoD
