ARAS (Lithuania)
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The ARAS, formally Lithuanian Police Anti-terrorist Operations Unit ARAS (Lithuanian: Lietuvos policijos antiteroristinių operacijų rinktinė ARAS), is the police tactical unit of the Lithuanian Police Force, established in 1991.[1]
| Lithuanian Police Anti-terrorist Operations Unit ARAS | |
|---|---|
| Lietuvos policijos antiteroristinių operacijų rinktinė ARAS | |
.svg) | |
| Active | 1991 – present |
| Country | Lithuania |
| Agency | Lithuanian Police Force |
| Type | Police tactical unit |
| Operations jurisdiction | National |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
Currently, the unit's missions primarily involve apprehension of armed and dangerous criminals, counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, high-risk tactical law enforcement situations, operating in difficult to access terrain, protecting high-level meeting areas, providing security in areas at risk of attack or terrorism, special reconnaissance in difficult to access and dangerous areas, as well as other tactical special operations. Aras does several hundred domestic and international operations in a typical year, most of which are never publicized.[2]
History
ARAS's initial purpose was to suppress organized crime groups that were operating in Lithuania in 1990s.[3] In addition, they handled riot suppression, peace keeping, and escort.[3]
In December 2004, the unit was admitted into the ATLAS Network of police tactical units of the European Union countries.[4]
Structure
ARAS consists of a:
- Command,
- Special Team,
- Explosive Search and Neutralization Division,[5]
- 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.[6]
Equipment
ARAS operators use a variety of modern weapons, including SIG Sauer P226, Heckler & Koch MP5, G36, SIG SG 551, SIG MCX, PGM Ultima Ratio, PGM Hécate II, AWM-F.[7][8] Aras equipment also includes armored vehicles, boats, helicopters and various aerial, land and naval drones.[9][10][11]
References
External links
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