In a ceremony held remotely by video teleconference on 14 January, 2021, Commander Audrius Venckunas (Lithuanian Navy) handed over the command of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1) to Commander Jan Wijchers (Royal Netherlands Navy).
The Lithuanian Navy (Lietuvos Karinės jūrų pajėgos) is looking to expand its fleet of Skalvis-class Mine Counter Measures (MCM) vessels (ex-Royal Navy’s Hunt-class) with the procurement of a third hull to be overhauled and upgraded.
After being one of the first navies to be equipped with ECA GROUP's K-STER MIDS ROV back in 2009, the Lithuanian Navy, renewed its trust in the capabilities of this solution to neutralise sea mines.
On 19-20 August the Lithuanian Navy and Baltic Institute of Advanced Technology (BPTI) have conducted unique trials in the Baltic Sea: communication technologies have been tested that should enable real-time information exchange about the maritime environment using aerial, surface and underwater drones. These activities are conducted under the frame of the EU funded project OCEAN2020 designed for the development of military maritime innovations.
