The Lithuanian Armed Forces have re-established the 1st Mechanized Division to enhance the country’s military capabilities amidst escalating regional threats.
The Division will come under the command of Brigadier-General Aurelijus Alasauskas and is formed by the Lithuanian Land Force Brigades Iron Wolf and Griffin, Reserve Brigade Aukštaitija, along with air defence, engineer, reconnaissance and artillery units. The established Division Staff will begin arrangements for military training of the assigned units as of this year aiming for Full Operational Capacity by 2030.
Lithuania’s Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė stated: “We made a commitment to the Lithuanian public that it will be able to catch a breath reassured that as a country we are doing everything necessary to have the capability to operate a division in full operational capacity by 2030, which is one of the critical components of our defence.”
“We cannot afford to skip the job required for our security. That is why we had to take fundamental, key decisions without delay to make a step forward in national defence, fill in defence funding gaps, and most importantly, do the homework to maximum extent. Therefore, we work shoulder to shoulder with all National Defence institutions, President and the Government every day for the sake of our mutual national interest and to deliver on this commitment.”
Upon achieving Full Operational Capability, the Division will serve as a key element in the Allied defence of Lithuania’s land territory. Given that numerous NATO member states maintain divisions as core components of their military forces, it is essential for Lithuania to collaborate with Allied divisions in collective defence operations.
The establishment of a national division will enable Lithuania to enhance its integration and contribute equally in terms of manoeuvre, fire support, logistics, reconnaissance, and other operational capabilities. The creation of national divisions as the primary tactical unit was formally recognized at the NATO Summit in Madrid in 2022 and subsequently endorsed in Lithuania during the State Defence Council meeting in May 2023, in response to emerging threats and the feasibility of NATO’s regional defence strategies.
The Division is expected to operate main battle tanks, wheeled and tracked infantry fighting vehicles, as well as expanded capabilities in air defence, engineering, reconnaissance, and artillery. The re-establishment of the 1st Division aims to elevate the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ warfare capabilities to a new qualitative and quantitative standard.
“Today we celebrate the inauguration of the Division Headquarters and Headquarters Element. The Re-established 1st Division dating back to the Lithuanian-Polish Commonwealth traditions marks a quality milestone in the Lithuanian Armed Forces. We are expanding our deterrence and victory capacities. We will not stop at this and continue to develop the Lithuanian Armed Forces to ensure security of the state of Lithuania and our citizens,” said Chief of Defence General Raimundas Vaikšnoras.