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ARAS (Lithuania)

The ARAS, formally Lithuanian Police Anti-terrorist Operations Unit ARAS (), is the police tactical unit of the Lithuanian Police Force, established in 1991.

History

ARAS's initial purpose was to suppress organized crime groups that were operating in Lithuania in 1990s. In addition, they handled riot suppression, peace keeping, and escort.

In December 2004, the unit was admitted into the ATLAS Network of police tactical units of the European Union countries.

Aras does several hundred domestic and international operations in a typical year, most of which are never publicized.

Structure

ARAS consists of a:

  • Command,
  • Special Team,
  • Explosive Search and Neutralization Division,
  • Information, analysis and negotiation Division,
  • 2 divisions, one of them located in Klaipėda.

The unit also has specialized CBRN defense, climber, combat medic, EOD, K-9, negotiation, reconnaissance, sniper, and tactical diver groups that are necessary to carry out the main functions ascribed to the unit.

Functions

The main functions of ARAS are to:

  • organize, manage and implement special antiterrorist operations inside Lithuania;
  • hostage rescue and detain dangerous armed criminals under extreme or high danger circumstances;
  • search for and neutralize improvised explosive devices and military explosives, used for terrorist or criminal purposes;
  • under their competence participate while performing various operative actions, detaining persons, suspected to have performed or planning to commit a crime;
  • collect and analyze information related to terrorist threats, cooperate with professional institutions of other countries in this sphere;
  • participate in organizing and implementing plans and programs for antiterrorist measures, and other legal acts establishing terrorism prevention.

Equipment

ARAS operators use a variety of modern weapons, including:

Aras equipment also includes armored vehicles, boats, helicopters and various aerial, land and naval drones.

References

External links