View source for Lithuanian Air Force

{{Short description|Air warfare branch of Lithuania's military}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Lithuanian Air Force
| native_name                   = {{lang|lt|Lietuvos Karinės Oro Pajėgos}}
| image                         = Brass Insignia of the Lithuanian Air Force.png
| image_size                    = 200px
| caption                       = Coat of arms of the Lithuanian Air Force
| dates                         = 1919–1940, 1992–present
| country                       = {{flag|Lithuania}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = 
| type                          = [[Air force]]
| role                          = [[Aerial warfare]]
| size                          = 1,500{{Sfn|Hackett|2022|p=124}}
| command_structure             = [[Lithuanian Armed Forces]]
| garrison                      = Gedimino 25, LT-44319 [[Kaunas]]
| garrison_label                = Headquarters
| nickname                      = 
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = 
| colours                       = 
| colours_label                 = 
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| anniversaries                 = 12 March 1919 <br/> 2 January 1991
| equipment                     = 
| equipment_label               = 
| battles                       = 
| decorations                   = 
| battle_honours                = 
| battle_honours_label          = 
| flying_hours                  = 
| website                       = <!-- Commanders -->
| commander1                    = [[Colonel]] Antanas Matutis
| commander1_label              = Commander
| notable_commanders            = [[Brigadier General]] [[Antanas Gustaitis]]
<!-- Insignia -->| identification_symbol         = [[File:Roundel of Lithuania.svg|80px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = [[Military aircraft insignia|Roundel]]
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:Air Force Ensign of Lithuania.svg|160px|border]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = Flag 
<!-- Aircraft -->| aircraft_attack               = 
| aircraft_bomber               = 
| aircraft_electronic           = 
| aircraft_fighter              = 
| aircraft_helicopter           = [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin|AS365 N3+]], [[UH-60M]]
| aircraft_helicopter_attack    = 
| aircraft_interceptor          = 
| aircraft_patrol               = 
| aircraft_recon                = 
| aircraft_trainer              = 
| aircraft_transport            = [[Alenia C-27J Spartan|C-27J]], [[L-410]], [[Cessna 172]]
| aircraft_tanker               = 
| aircraft_general              = 
}}

The '''Lithuanian Air Force''' or '''LAF''' ({{langx|lt|Lietuvos karinės oro pajėgos}}, abbreviated as ''LK KOP'') is the [[Military Aviation|military aviation]] branch of the [[Lithuanian Armed Forces]]. It is formed from professional military servicemen and non-military personnel. Units are located at [[Zokniai Air Base]] near the city [[Šiauliai]], at [[Radviliškis]] and [[Kaunas]].

== History ==
=== 1919–1940 ===
[[File:Antanas Gustaitis near planes.jpg|thumb|left|[[Antanas Gustaitis]] at a Lithuanian airfield in 1930s.]]
After the declaration of [[Lithuania]] to be an independent state on [[February 16]], 1918, the most urgent task of the new government was to organize a military force that could repel enemy armies that were coming from all sides. The first order for the creation of a Lithuanian army came on [[November 23]], 1918.

In January 1919, an Engineering Company was formed within the military, which contained an Aviation Squad.<ref>A.Gamziukas, G.Ramoška, Lithuanian Air Force 1919-1940, pg.&nbsp;262  [Lietuvos Karinė Aviacija 1919-1940, Lietuvos aviacijos muziejus, Kaunas, 1999, {{ISBN|9986-557-12-7}}]</ref> On March 12, 1919, the group was reorganized into an Aviation Company and became an independent military unit. Its leader was appointed to be marine engineer officer Petras Petronis. This date is considered to be the birthday of the Lithuanian Air Force.

Between March and December 1919 and between 1932 and 1940, the [[War School of Kaunas|Kaunas Military Aviation School]] operated in that city. The school trained officers in many aviation disciplines: pilots, observers, gunners and mechanics.

The first aircraft ([[Sopwith 1½ Strutter]]) was taken by the Lithuanian military from the Red Army, on February 5, 1919, at the city of [[Jieznas]].  On February 27, 1919, eight new reconnaissance aircraft, [[LVG C.VI]], were received. They had been purchased in Germany. In June, five more aircraft were purchased. In the following years some aircraft were taken as war booty and repaired in [[Karo aviacijos tiekimo skyrius|Lithuanian Aviation workshops]], many were purchased from various countries. Later during the [[interwar period]], Lithuania had its native [[ANBO]] series of aircraft built by the Lithuanian designers [[Jurgis Dobkevičius]] and [[Antanas Gustaitis]].

The Lithuanian Military Aviation was active in [[Lithuanian Wars of Independence|Lithuanian wars of independence]] battles with the Red Army and Polish military units. The pilot performing the most military sorties was Jurgis Dobkevičius, who later became the first Lithuanian aircraft designer and builder. On May 12, 1920, Vytautas Rauba was the first Lithuanian aviator to lose his life in an aircraft crash. On October 4 of the same year, in a fight with the Polish military, the first aircraft with a Lithuanian crew was shot down. The pilot of the aircraft, Juozas Kumpis, commander of Lithuania's First Air Squadron, was severely injured and died as prisoner of the Polish military.

Starting in 1920 the military aviation branch was renamed a number of times and some time after 1928 it was named to the equivalent of the Lithuanian Air Force.

The Lithuanian Air Force supported and encouraged various aeronautics related activities, such as the sport of [[gliding]]. In 1933, in cooperation with [[Aeroclub of Lithuania|Aero Club of Lithuania]], they helped establish a Lithuanian [[Gliding School in Nida]] and send their only experienced glider pilot, [[Gregorius Radvenis]], to be the school's instructor and supervisor.

In 1940, the Lithuanian Air Force consisted of eight Air Squadrons, including reconnaissance, fighter, bomber and training units. Air Force bases had been established in the cities and towns of [[Kaunas]] / [[S. Darius and S. Girėnas Airport|Žagariškės]], [[Šiauliai]] / [[Zokniai Air Base]]), [[Panevėžys]] / [[Pajuostis]]. In the summer time, airfields near the cities of [[Palanga]] and [[Rukla]] were also used. A total of 117 aircraft and 230 pilots and observers were listed in the books by mid-1940, at the moment of [[Soviet re-occupation of the Baltic states (1944)|occupation of Lithuania by the Soviet Union]].

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! colspan="6" | Inventory in mid-1940
|-
!Aircraft
!Origin
!Type
!Variant
!Number in service 
!Notes
|-
|[[ANBO IV|Anbo IV / 41]]
|Lithuania
|Reconnaissance / light bomber
|IV, 41
|32
|12  ANBO IV, 20 ANBO 41<ref>{{Cite web|date=1997|title=ANBO 41|url=https://www.plienosparnai.lt/page.php?31|access-date=2021-04-27|website=Plieno sparnai}}</ref>
|-
|[[ANBO VIII|Anbo VIII]]
|Lithuania
|Bomber
|
|1
|Single pre-production unit, built in 1939
|-
|[[Ansaldo A.120]]
|Italy
|Reconnaissance / light bomber
|Ady
|< 5
|Out of the batch of 12, ordered in 1929
|-
|[[Dewoitine D.500|Dewoitine D.501]]
|France
|Fighter
|L
|13
|14 acquired in 1937. No. D601-614
|-
|[[Fiat CR.20]]
|Italy
|Fighter
|
|7
|15 acquired in 1928.
|-
|[[Gloster Gladiator]]
|United Kingdom
|Fighter
|Mk. I
|12
|14 acquired in 1937. No. G704-717
|-
|[[De Havilland Dragon Rapide|de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide]]
|United Kingdom
|Executive transport / liaison
|89M
|2
|Acquired in 1937
|-
|[[LVG C.VI]]
|Germany
|Liaison / trainer
|
|2
|Since 1929 withdrawn from first line service and used for training and liaison purposes<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pleita|first=Juozas|title=LVG C.VI|url=https://www.plienosparnai.lt/page.php?635|access-date=2021-04-27|website=Plieno sparnai}}</ref>
|-
|[[ANBO III|Anbo III]]
|Lithuania
|Advanced trainer
|
|9
|Built in 1930 - 1931
|-
|[[ANBO V|Anbo V / 51]]
|Lithuania
|Basic trainer
|V, 51
|13
|Five Anbo V built in 1931, five Anbo 51 built in 1936, five in 1938<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ramoška|first=Gytis|date=2006|title=NUMYLĖTASIS ANBUKAS. MOKOMOJO LĖKTUVO ANBO-V SUKŪRIMO IR EKSPLOATACIJOS ISTORIJA|url=https://www.plienosparnai.lt/page.php?28|access-date=2021-04-27|website=Plieno sparnai}}</ref>
|-
|[[ANBO VI|Anbo VI]]
|Lithuania
|Trainer / liaison
|
|3
|Out of 4, built in 1933-1934
|-
|[[Avro 626]]
|United Kingdom
|Advanced trainer
|
|3
|Acquired in 1937. No. 701, 702, 703
|-
|[[Bücker Bü 133 Jungmeister|Bucker-133 "Jungmeister"]]
|Germany
|Advanced trainer
|C
|6
|Acquired in 1939
|}
Following the [[Soviet occupation of the Baltic states (1940)|Soviet occupation of Lithuania]] the Lithuanian Air Force was formally disbanded on October 23, 1940.  Part of Lithuanian Air Force (77 senior officers, 72 junior officers, 59 privates, 20 aircraft) was reorganized into [[Red Army]]'s [[29th Rifle Corps|29th Territorial Rifle Corps]] Aviation, also referred to as National Squadron (''Tautinė eskadrilė''). Other planes and equipment were taken over by Red Army's Air Force Bases No. 13 and 213. About third of Tautinė eskadrilė's personnel latter suffered [[June deportation|repressions]] by Soviet authorities, significant share joined [[June Uprising in Lithuania|June uprising]], after the start of [[German invasion of the Soviet Union|German invasion into Soviet Union]] several pilots of Tautinė eskadrilė and fewer than six planes withdrew with Soviet army.

=== After 1992 ===
On 23 January 1992, the [[Minister of Defense]] signed an order establishing the staff for the Aviation Base of the Aviation Service.<ref name="lt-airforce-hist">{{cite book|title=Du dešimtmečiai padangės sargyboje|first=Algirdas|last=Gamziukas|url=https://kam.lt/download/25666/du%20desimtmeciai%20padanges%20sargyboje.pdf|date=2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621170757/https://kam.lt/download/25666/du%20desimtmeciai%20padanges%20sargyboje.pdf|archive-date=21 June 2013|url-status=live|language=lt|publisher=Lietuvos Respublikos Krašto apsaugos ministerija|isbn=978-609-412-018-3}}</ref> But an actual base in the [[Šiauliai airport]] territory (Barysiai airfield) was not established until March, when all the infrastructure, buildings, territory and 24 [[An-2]] aircraft were transferred from [[Lithuanian Airlines]] to the Aviation Service of the Ministry of Defense in January 1992.<ref name="lt-airforce-hist"/> On 12 June 1992, the first time after regaining the independence of Lithuania, An-2 aircraft, marked with the double cross of [[Vytis]] on its wings – the distinguishing sign of Lithuanian Air Force – took off from Barysiai airfield. This date is considered to be the Aviation Base foundation date. In February 1993 four L-39C Albatros aircraft were brought from [[Kyrgyzstan]].

After 1 March 1993 Aviation Service was reformed to the Lithuanian Air Force and Aviation Base was renamed the First Aviation Base of the Lithuanian Air Force.<ref name="lt-airforce-hist"/> In January 1994 Lithuania officially applied for NATO membership. From 1995 to 1999, the First Aviation Base was relocated to [[Zokniai aerodrome]] nearby [[Šiauliai]], which was used for fighter wing, radio-electronic fight and reconnaissance squadrons dislocation during the [[Soviet occupation]].<ref name="lt-airforce-hist"/> By the decree of the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Lithuania [[Linas Linkevičius]], the First Aviation Base and the Second Aviation Base were reorganized into the Lithuanian Air Force Aviation Base as of 1 October 2004. Up to 2004, there were only light attack jet aircraft and transport aircraft located at the Air Base, after the reconstruction of First and Second Air Bases, helicopters are located at the Air Base too.

In 2007, two [[Aero L-39 Albatros|L-39ZA]] aircraft underwent extension of technical resources in [[Romania]]. Maintenance works included exhaustive check-up of the aircraft units and major engine repairs. New navigation equipment GNS 530 was installed and radio communication sets changed in pilot cabins. These planes are used to train fighter control officers in air policing mission and fighter command officers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kam.lt/index.php/en/141712 |title=Air Force pilots fly L-39 ZA aircraft again (sic) |access-date=2009-03-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716154658/http://www.kam.lt/index.php/en/141712 |archive-date=2011-07-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Furthermore, a complex program of capital overhaul, upgrade and modernisation of the Air Force's helicopters [[Mil Mi-8|Mi-8]] and twin engine short-range transport aircraft [[L-410]] was conducted.<ref>{{cite web |publisher= National Defence Ministry Republic of Lithuania |title= Paieškos ir gelbėjimo darbus vykdys kapitaliai suremontuotas sraigtasparnis |url= http://www.kam.lt/accessibility/index.php/lt/103737/ |language= lt }}{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher= National Defence Ministry Republic of Lithuania |title= Lithuanian manufacturers for the military |url= http://www.kam.lt/EasyAdmin/sys/files/Manufacturers.pdf }}{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Sometime before August 2023 Lithuania donated 2 [[Mil Mi-8|Mi-8s]] to Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-19 |title=Lithuania to send Mi-8 helicopters, anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1870995/lithuania-to-send-mi-8-helicopters-anti-aircraft-guns-to-ukraine |access-date=2023-07-26 |website=LRT |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2024, Lithuanian Air Force donated a decommissioned, disassembled [[Aero L-39 Albatros|Aero L-39ZA Albatros]] to Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1781670775994405220 |url=https://twitter.com/Lithuanian_MoD/status/1781670775994405220 |title=Lithuanian MOD |user=Lithuanian_MOD |access-date=April 20, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lithuania handed over the light attack aircraft L-39ZA "Albatros" to Ukraine |url=https://kam.lt/lietuva-perdave-ukrainai-lengvaji-atakos-lektuva-l-39za-albatros/ |access-date=20 April 2024 |website=kam.lt}}</ref>

== Structure ==
[[File:Lithuanian Air Force organization 2025.png|thumb|right|320px|Lithuanian Air Force organization 2025]]
{{Location map+ | Lithuania | relief = 1 | float=right | width=320| places=
{{Location map~ | Lithuania | background = white |label=<small>[[Šiauliai International Airport|Šiauliai]]</small>|lat= 55.893889 |long= 23.394722 |position=left|mark=Blue 0080ff pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ | Lithuania | background = white |label=<small>[[Karmėlava]]</small>|lat= 54.972222 |long= 24.066667 |position=right|mark=Green pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ | Lithuania | background = white |label=<small>[[Radviliškis]]</small>|lat= 55.8 |long= 23.55 |position=right|mark=Purple pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ | Lithuania | background = white |label=<small>[[Šilutė District Municipality|Degučiai]]</small>|lat= 55.33 |long= 21.79 |position=right|mark=Orange pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ | Lithuania | background = white |label=<small>[[Prienai District Municipality|Antaveršis]]</small>|lat= 54.61 |long= 24.47 |position=right|mark=Orange pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ | Lithuania | background = white |label=<small>[[Šiauliai District Municipality|Sutkūnai]]</small>|lat= 55.97 |long= 23.35 |position=right|mark=Yellow pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ | Lithuania | background = white |label=<small>[[Vidiškės]]</small>|lat= 55.35 |long= 26.166667 |position=right|mark=Yellow pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ | Lithuania | background = white |label=<small>[[Juodkrantė]]</small>|lat= 55.54 |long= 21.12 |position=right|mark=Yellow pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ | Lithuania | background = white |label=<small>[[Gražiškiai]]</small>|lat= 54.47 |long= 22.90 |position=right|mark=Yellow pog.svg}}
|caption=Lithuanian Air Force locations 2025: <br> [[File:Blue 0080ff pog.svg|10px]] Air Base <br> [[File:Purple pog.svg|10px]] Air Defence Battalion <br> [[File:Green pog.svg|10px]] Air Space Control Centre <br> [[File:Orange pog.svg|10px]] Radar post with LANZA 3D <br> [[File:Yellow pog.svg|10px]] Radar post}}

The Lithuanian Air Force Headquarters and the [[Airspace Surveillance and Control Command (Lithuania)|Airspace Surveillance and Control Command]] are located in [[Kaunas]]. The Air Surveillance and Control Command reports to the [[Baltic Air Surveillance Network]]'s Regional Airspace Surveillance Coordination Centre (RASCC) co-located in Karmėlava, which in turn reports to CAOC Uedem. The Air Base, and Armament and Equipment Repair Depot are based at [[Šiauliai Air Base]]. The [[Air defence battalion (Lithuania)|Air Defence Battalion]] is based in [[Radviliškis]].

=== Air base ===
{{main|Šiauliai International Airport}}
The main air base is located in [[Šiauliai]] city. It is staffed with professional military and also non-military personnel. It consists of a headquarters, air operation group and operational support group. The base operates various fixed wing and rotary blade aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |title=Air Base of the Lithuanian Air Force |url=http://kariuomene.kam.lt/en/structure_1469/air_force/structure_1330/air_base.html |website=kariuomene.kam.lt |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621115844/http://kariuomene.kam.lt/en/structure_1469/air_force/structure_1330/air_base.html |archive-date=21 June 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The staff, aircraft and equipment of the Air Base has participated in many international training missions abroad and at home. Main tasks of the Air Base are:
* Host nation Support for [[NATO]] [[Baltic Air Policing]] forces
* [[Search and Rescue]]
* Passenger, cargo and VIP transport
* Air medical evacuation
* Personnel deployment
* Army and Navy air support
* Air base personnel combat readiness training

=== Air Defence Battalion ===
[[File:Eurocopter AS365+( kf 8984).jpg|thumb|Lithuanian Air Force [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin|AS365 N3+ Dauphin]]]]
{{main|Air defence battalion (Lithuania)}}
The Air Defence Battalion’s primary missions include:
* Defend state facilities of vital importance against military aviation attacks from the air in low and medium altitude
* Support land forces in fighting against ground armoured technical equipment and in other events
* Train military personnel in carrying out combat tasks
Development of infrastructure is one key missions of the Air Defence Battalion currently in the stage of development.

=== Airspace Surveillance and Control Command ===
{{main|Airspace Surveillance and Control Command (Lithuania)}}
The Airspace Surveillance and Control Command works closely with the Baltic States Air Surveillance System, [[BALTNET]]. The appropriate legal documentation of the BALTNET project was developed, the Reciprocal Memorandum of Understanding concerning military personnel training was signed among Lithuanian, Estonian, Latvian, and Danish Ministries of Defence.
The Regional Air Spaces Surveillance Co-ordination Centre (RASSCC), headquarters of the BALTNET project, was established in the LTAF Airspace Control Centre and has been fully functioning since early 2000. Military personnel from all the three [[Baltic States]] serve as air surveillance operators at the centre and rotate according to national timetables. The Commander of the centre is appointed for two years and represents one of the Baltic States.

=== Armament and equipment repair depot ===
[[File:LAF Spartan 07 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Lithuanian Air Force C-27J with an aerial refueling probe]]
The main tasks of Armament and Equipment Repair Depot:
* To perform periodical works of maintenance as well as minor and medium repair of LAF armament and equipment outdoors
* To modernize LAF equipment according to contemporary aviation needs and NATO standards
* To prepare technical requirements for organizing competitions of centralized repair, modernization and purchasing of equipment
* To perform periodical works of maintenance, supervision and repair of life-saving equipment used in search and rescue works
* Under necessity, to perform works of maintenance and minor repair of special equipment of NATO partners, performing the function of air police in Lithuania
* Under necessity to provide proper room for ensuring minor repair operations of airplanes (QRA) of NATO partners
* Raise the level of military and professional staff preparation in order to be able in future perform periodic maintenance and repair of western type aircraft

== Baltic Air Policing ==
{{main|Baltic Air Policing}}
After Lithuania joined [[NATO]] back in 2004, its (alongside [[Latvia]]'s and [[Estonia]]'s) [[air space]] [[Baltic Air Policing|is protected by NATO]]. NATO members provide usually four [[fighter aircraft]], based in Lithuania, to police the [[Baltic States]]’ airspace. The deployments rotate between NATO members (that started in March 2004 with [[Belgian Air Component]] [[F-16]]s) and most NATO members that operate fighters have made a deployment to Lithuania. The Baltic States are considering in the near future to protect their airspace on their own.

== Modernisation ==
In line with the set priorities, the Lithuanian Air Force is implementing modernisation plans. In 2000s, the Air Force has bought three new [[C-27J Spartan]] [[military transport aircraft]]. In 2013, three [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin]] search and rescue helicopters were ordered from France for roughly €52 million. The deal was financed by the [[EU]] and deliveries began in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=First of the Three SAR Helicopters Lithuania Had Purchased Arrived |url=http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/164160/lithuania-receives-first-airbus-dauphin-sar-helicopter.html |website=defense-aerospace.com |date=3 June 2015}}</ref> In October 2020, the Air Force announced the decision to purchase four [[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk]] helicopters from the US.<ref name="uh-60-deal">{{cite web|title=Lithuania signs deal for its first American military helicopters|url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/11/13/lithuania-signs-deal-for-its-first-american-military-helicopters/|website=Defense News|date=13 November 2020|access-date=13 November 2021}}</ref>

==Inventory==
=== Current aircraft ===
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft
!! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Image
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;" |Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service / notes
|-
! colspan="8" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Military transport aircraft|Transport]]
|-
| [[Embraer C-390 Millennium]]
| [[File:Embraer_KC-390,_Paris_Air_Show_2019,_Le_Bourget_(SIAE0824).jpg|center|183x183px]]
| {{BRA}}
| [[Military transport aircraft|Transport]]
|
| (3 on order)<ref>{{cite web|title=Lietuva ketina įsigyti tris braziliškus karinius transporto lėktuvus|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/2593671/lietuva-ketina-isigyti-tris-braziliskus-karinius-transporto-lektuvus|date=18 June 2025|access-date=18 June 2025|website=LRT|language=lt}}</ref>
|-
| [[Alenia C-27J Spartan]]
| [[File:Lithuanian Air Force Alenia C-27J Spartan Freer-1.jpg|center|183x183px]]
| {{ITA}}
| [[Military transport aircraft|Transport]]
|
| 3<ref name="World Air Forces 2024">{{cite web |last=Hoyle |first=Craig |year=2023 |title=World Air Forces 2024 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=98881 |access-date=27 December 2023 |publisher=[[FlightGlobal]]}}</ref>
|-
| [[Let L-410 Turbolet]]
| [[File:Lithuanian Air Force, 02, Let L-410UVP Turbolet.jpg|center|176x176px]]
| {{TCH}}
| [[Utility aircraft]] 
|
| 2<ref name="World Air Forces 2024" />
|-
! colspan="8" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Helicopter]]s
|-
| [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin]]
| [[File:Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin Lithuanian Air Force.jpeg|center|179x179px]]
| {{FRA}}
| [[Search and rescue|SAR]] / [[Utility helicopter]]
| AS365 N3+
| 3<ref name="World Air Forces 2024" />
|-
| [[Mil Mi-8]]
| [[File:Mil Mi 8 - RIAT 2005 (2452863878).jpg|center|184x184px]]
| {{RUS}}
| Utility helicopter
|
| 2<ref name="World Air Forces 2024" />
|-
| [[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk]]
| [[File:National-Guard-UH-60-Black-Hawk-operations-at-Fort-McCoy.jpg|center|183x183px]]
| {{USA}}
| Utility helicopter
| UH-60M
| 4 on order.<ref name="uh-60-deal"/>
|-
! colspan="8" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAVs]]
|-
| [[Boeing Insitu MQ-27 ScanEagle]]
| [[File:US Navy 1005268-N-RC844-159 A Scan Eagle Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).jpg|center|181x181px]]
| {{USA}}
| [[Surveillance aircraft|Surveillance]]
|
| <ref>{{cite web|title=Šalies sieną kariai saugo tarptautinėse operacijose patikrintais bepiločiais orlaiviais|date=2021-12-09|access-date=2022-01-11|url=https://kariuomene.lt/kas-mes-esame/naujienos/salies-siena-kariai-saugo-tarptautinese-operacijose-patikrintais-bepilociais-orlaiviais/24452|website=Lithuanian Armed Forces|language=lt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuanian and U.S. air capabilities exercised together in Kazlų Rūda Training Area|date=2019-03-20|access-date=2022-01-11|url=https://kam.lt/en/news_1098/current_issues/lithuanian_and_u.s._air_capabilities_exercised_together_in_kazlu_ruda_training_area|website=Lithuanian Ministry of Defense}}</ref>
|}
Note: Three [[Boeing C-17 Globemaster III]]s are available through the [[Heavy Airlift Wing]] based in [[Hungary]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sacprogram.org/en/Pages/Heavy-Airlift-Wing.aspx|title=Heavy Airlift Wing|publisher=[[Strategic Airlift Capability]] Program|access-date=17 April 2020}}</ref>

===Weapons===
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;" |Weapon
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;" ! |Image
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;" |Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;" |Type
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;" |Variant
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;" |In service
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;" |Notes
|-
! colspan="7" |Air-to-air missile
|-
| [[AIM-120 AMRAAM]]
|[[File:Aim_120_amraam_missile_20040710_145603_1.4.jpg|frameless|259x259px]]
| {{USA}}
| [[Beyond-visual-range missile]]
|AIM-120C-8
| 36<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lithuania – AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) {{!}} Defense Security Cooperation Agency |url=https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/lithuania-aim-120c-8-advanced-medium-range-air-air-missiles-amraam |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=www.dsca.mil}}</ref>
|AIM-120C-8 missiles will be used with [[NASAMS]] medium-range air defense systems.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-24 |title=Lithuania to buy US air defence missiles |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2108539/lithuania-to-buy-us-air-defence-missiles |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=lrt.lt |language=en}}</ref>
|}
=== Retired aircraft ===
Previous aircraft operated by the Air Force consisted of the [[Aero L-39 Albatros|Aero L-39]], [[An-2 Colt]], [[Antonov An-26|An-26 Curl]], [[PZL-104 Wilga]], [[Mil Mi-17|Mi-8/Mi-17]] and [[Mil Mi-2]].<ref name="l39-training">{{cite web|title=Lietuva ketina Ukrainai atiduoti mokomąjį lengvosios atakos lėktuvą|url=https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/lietuva-ketina-ukrainai-atiduoti-mokomaji-lengvosios-atakos-lektuva-56-1591004|access-date=13 November 2021|date=3 November 2021|website=15min.lt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2000/2000-1%20-%201982.html|title= World Air Forces 2000 pg. 74|publisher= flightglobal.com|date= |access-date= 11 May 2015|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150518083143/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2000/2000-1%20-%201982.html|archive-date= 18 May 2015}}</ref><ref name="World Air Forces 2023">{{cite web |last= |first= |year=2023 |title=World Air Forces 2023 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=90688 |url-access=registration |accessdate=24 December 2022 |publisher=Flightglobal Insight |doi=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania to send Mi-8 helicopters, anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1870995/lithuania-to-send-mi-8-helicopters-anti-aircraft-guns-to-ukraine|date=19 January 2023|access-date=19 January 2023|website=LRT}}</ref>

==Commanders==
During the interwar period, the air force was commanded by:<ref>{{cite book |first=Algirdas |last=Gamziukas |title=Du dešimtmečiai padangės sargyboje. Lietuvos karinės oro pajėgos 1992–2012 |url=https://kam.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/du-desimtmeciai-padanges-sargyboje.pdf |language=lt |publisher=Lietuvos Respublikos Krašto apsaugos ministerija |location=Vilnius |isbn=978-609-412-018-3 |year=2012 |pages=9–10}}</ref>
* Konstantinas Fugalevičius (30 January – 28 February 1919)
* Petras Petronis (1 March – 25 October 1919)
* Vincas Gavelis (26 October – 14 November 1919 and 12 February – 17 July 1920)
* [[Charles Roderick Carr]] (15 November 1919 – 11 February 1920)
* [[Juozas Kraucevičius]] (17 July 1920 – 15 February 1927)
* [[Stasys Pundzevičius]] (9 March 1927 – 8 May 1934)
* [[Antanas Gustaitis]] (9 May 1934 – 1940)

==Ranks and insignia==
===Officers===
The rank insignia for commissioned officers for the air force.
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OF/Blank}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=3|
| colspan=8 style="background:#dadada;"| General officers (''Generolai'')
| colspan=6 style="background:#dadada;"| Senior officers (''Vyresnieji karininkai'')
| colspan=8 style="background:#dadada;"| Junior officers (''Jaunesnieji karininkai'')
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OF/Lithuania}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
! Limitation <br /> ''(as of 2012)<ref>{{in lang|lt}} [http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter3/dokpaieska.showdoc_l?p_id=429443 Principinės kariuomenės struktūros 2012 metais, planuojamos principinės kariuomenės struktūros 2017 metais nustatymo, krašto apsaugos sistemos karių ribinių skaičių ir statutinių valstybės tarnautojų ribinio skaičiaus 2012 metais ir 2017 metais patvirtinimo įstatymas]</ref>''
| colspan=2|
| colspan=8 style="background:#dadada;"| < 9
| colspan=2 style="background:#dadada;"| < 30
| colspan=2 style="background:#dadada;"| < 127
| colspan=2 style="background:#dadada;"| < 375
| colspan=8 style="background:#dadada;"| N/A
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OF/Blank}}
|}

===Enlisted===
The rank insignia for enlisted personnel for the air force.
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OR/Lithuania}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OR/Blank}}
|}

== See also ==
*[[Baltic Air Policing]]
*[[Air defence battalion]]
*[[Airspace Surveillance and Control Command (Lithuania)|Airspace Surveillance and Control Command]]
*[[State Border Guard Service (Lithuania)|Aviation Unit of State Border Guard Service]]
*[[List of airports in Lithuania]]

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160601142130/http://kariuomene.kam.lt/kariuomene/en/structure_1469/air_force.html Official Lithuanian Air Force website]
* [http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?aircraft_genericsearch=&airlinesearch=Lithuania+-+Air+Force&countrysearch=&specialsearch=&keywords=&sort_order=&page_limit=120 Photos of Lithuanian Air Force aircraft]

== References ==
{{Commons category|Air force of Lithuania}}
{{CCBYSASource|sourcepath=http://kariuomene.kam.lt/en/structure_1469/air_force/structure_1330.html|sourcearticle=Lithuanian Air Force|revision=447631567}}

=== Notes ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
* [http://www.kam.lt/index.php/en Ministry of National Defence Republic of Lithuania]

=== Bibliography ===
* Humberstone, Richard. ''Lithuanian Air Force, 1918-1940 (Insignia Air Force Special No.1)''. London: Blue Rider Publishing, 1996.
* {{Cite journal |date=2022-02-14 |editor-last=Hackett |editor-first=James |title=The 2022 Military Balance Chart |journal=The Military Balance |publisher=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] |volume=122 |issue=1 |issn=0459-7222}}

{{Lithuanian Armed Forces units (1990–now)|state=collapsed}}
{{Lithuania topics}}
{{Air forces in Europe}}
{{Air forces}}
{{Allied Air Command}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lithuanian Air Force| ]]