From October 24 to 26 the Lithuanian Armed Forces are holding the first joint field exercise and live firing of all the anti-tank units of the Lithuanian Land Force at the Pabradės Training Area.
During the exercise participants drill actions in a unit using anti-tank system CARL GUSTAF M3, single-shot anti-tank weapon AT4, recoilless anti-tank rifles PV1110 and medium-range anti-tank system JAVELIN.
The drills involve forward platoons of the Motorised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf's battalions, anti-rank section of the National Defence Volunteer Forces (NDVF) and personnel of the Juozas Vitkus Engineer Battalion.
"Anti-tank weaponry is an inseparable part of modern Lithuanian military assets. An appropriate resort to these weapons during a spectrum of operations allows to stop and destroy armoured materiel of hostile forces effectively and what is the most important, without the need of great resources," said Maj Albertas Žagunis, Chief of the Operations Department of the Lithuanian Land Force Command Staff and organizer of the exercise.
According to the officer, live firing exercise not only improves individual weapon-handling skills of troops but also demonstrates to them the real-life effect those weapons can cause onto one or another type of target.
Short-range anti-tank weapons are fielded with the Land Force's infantry units present in the structure of each infantry section (10-troop strong unit). Medium-range anti-tank weapons are used by forward platoons of the units of MIB Iron Wolf. The aim of such units is to provide support for maneuver units across the whole spectrum of operations in Lithuania or when fulfilling multinational commitments outside the country that include anti-tank fire against armoured military equipment, tanks, or similar targets.
POC- Maj Gediminas Latvys, cell phone 00370 698 06506.
On Wednesday, October 23, a media opportunity will be provided to observe live firing exercise and view anti-tank equipment.
