Group of Ukrainian mortarmen completes training in Lithuania

2 October, 2023 Training of Ukrainian mortarman in Lithuania. September 2023. Photo: Armed Forces of Lithuania

The Ukrainian servicemen have undergone training in Lithuania on the use of 120-mm mortars. The mortar training course lasted two weeks. The servicemen gained theoretical and practical skills, as well as practiced live fire at the training ground.

According to the published photos, the Ukrainians were mastering 120-mm Panzermorser self-propelled mortars on the chassis of the M113A2 tracked armored personnel carrier.

Training of Ukrainian soldiers in Lithuania. September 2023. Photo credits: Armed Forces of Lithuania

The main goal of this training course is to prepare 120 mm mortars to perform tasks in various combat conditions.

Ukrainian military in Lithuania.

September 2023. Photo credits: Lithuanian Armed Forces

Lithuanian instructors taught Ukrainians the correct and safe use of mortars at firing positions, preparation for firing and execution of firing tasks.

Training of Ukrainian soldiers in Lithuania. September 2023.

Photo credits: Armed Forces of Lithuania

This training course ended in late September. The soldiers gained skills at various positions of mortar crew. After the training, the Lithuanian Armed Forces published a photo of the training of Ukrainians on their soil as part of military assistance.

Ukrainian soldiers firing during training in Lithuania.

September 2023. Photo credits: Lithuanian Armed Forces

As previously reported, last autumn, Lithuania transferred ten 120-mm Panzermorser self-propelled mortars to Ukraine.

Panzermorser self-propelled mortars for Ukraine from Lithuania. November 2022.

Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Lithuania

Mounted on the M113A2 chassis, the Panzermorser uses a 120 mm Tampella mortar with a maximum firing range of 6,500 - 7,200 meters. Ammunition consists of 60 min. The mortar can accommodate a crew of 5 people.

In 2013, the Ministry of Defense of Lithuania signed a EUR 6.6 million deal with the Israeli Elbit for the modernization of the Panzermorser fleet. The updated vehicles entered the Lithuanian army in 2015.

Panzermorser self-propelled mortars and armored command vehicles for Ukraine from Lithuania. November 2022.

Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Lithuania

The vehicles received a new digital fire control system.

Devices for observing and adjusting fire were also improved.

In the course of modernization, mortar barrels were replaced as well.