Lithuanian Armed Forces

The Lithuanian Armed Forces consist of ~14,500 active personnel (~2,100 of them - civilian). Conscription was ended in September 2008.

Lithuania's defence system is based on the concept of "total and unconditional defence" mandated by Lithuania's national National Security Strategy. The goal of Lithuania's defence policy is to prepare their society for general defence and to integrate Lithuania into Western security and defence structures. The defence ministry is responsible for combat forces, search and rescue, and intelligence operations.

The 4,800 border guards fall under the Interior Ministry's supervision and are responsible for border protection, passport and customs duties, and share responsibility with the navy for smuggling / drug trafficking interdiction. A special security department handles VIP protection and communications security.

Read more about Lithuanian Armed Forces:  Structure

Famous quotes containing the words armed and/or forces:

    What man dare, I dare.
    Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear,
    The armed rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger;
    Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves
    Shall never tremble. Or be alive again
    And dare me to the desert with thy sword.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    Is there something in trade that dessicates and flattens out, that turns men into dried leaves at the age of forty? Certainly there is. It is not due to trade but to intensity of self- seeking, combined with narrowness of occupation.... Business has destroyed the very knowledge in us of all other natural forces except business.
    John Jay Chapman (1862–1933)