Outgoing Czech Defence Attaché LT Col Tomáš Říman was thanked by Vice Minister of National Defence Vytautas Umbrasas for excellent performance in strengthening bilateral cooperation, especially concerning deployment of Czech forces with the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Lithuania for deterrence and defence and of Check Air Force capabilities to protect the Baltic skies, and was presented with the National Defence System Medal of Merit.
“Lithuania greatly appreciates the significant input of the Czech Republic into the security of the Baltic states and the close cooperation in coordinating the deterrence measures in the Baltic region,” Vice Minister V. Umbrasas stressed.
Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Lithuania HE Bohumil Mazanek expressed appreciation of the mutually beneficial cooperation at the ceremony as well.
The incoming Czech Defence Attaché in Lithuania graduated from the University of Defence and served across different units of the Czech Armed Forces.
The Defence Attaché of the Czech Republic to Lithuania is based in Vilnius.
Defence cooperation of Lithuania and the Czech Republic
Ministries of Defence of Lithuania and the Czech Republic signed an agreement on mutual cooperation in 1993.
The Lithuanian and the Czech Air Forces have been holding Exercise Baltic Eye in Lithuania since 2009. During the exercise L-159 ALCA fighter jets of the Czech Air Force come to fly over Lithuania’s territory and train Lithuanian fighter operators. Pilots of the Lithuanian Air Force are training on flight simulators in the Czech Republic every year.
Czech air force detachments have conducted the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states twice so far, in 2009 and 2012, next rotation is planned to be deployed in 2019.
240 Czech soldiers joined the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group deployed in Lithuania for deterrence and defence on 17 July 2018. The new contingent brought Pandur-II infantry fighting vehicles equipped with 30 mm cannons and Spike anti-armour missiles.
The Czech Republic had also deployed 150 soldiers and 30 military vehicles implementing the NATO Assurance Measures strengthening security of the Central and Eastern European NATO allies. Czech soldiers are also training in various exercise in Lithuania.
The Czech Republic is also contributing to the work and gaols of the NATO Force Integration Unit in Lithuania and has two staff officers serving there.
