Germany Perpetually Stationing Military Personnel in Lithuania – A First Since World War II
Germany is set to permanently station troops in Lithuania for the first time since World War II, marking a significant shift in European security. On Thursday, Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visited Lithuania to take part in a ceremony for the "roll call of the Lithuanian brigade" in Vilnius.
The deployment of German troops, officially known as the 45th Armored Brigade, has been in the works since a NATO plan was unveiled two years ago. According to the Bundeswehr website, the need for German soldiers in Lithuania arose due to Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine and the subsequent disruption of the security architecture in Europe.
Speaking at the event, Merz described the move as "the beginning of a new era." The fully staffed brigade is expected to be operational by 2027, and will ultimately consist of approximately 5,000 German troops and 200 civilian personnel. Initial reports suggest that around 400-700 troops are currently stationed in Lithuania, with that number set to rise to about 500 by the end of 2025.
Infrastructure such as schools and kindergartens will be needed to accommodate the families of the troops, who will make up a significant portion of the force. By February 2026, when the existing NATO Enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup is integrated into the brigade, the German presence is expected to reach around 1,800 troops, with further growth towards the full brigade strength of 4,800 soldiers by 2027.
During his visit, Chancellor Merz emphasized that the deployment was a joint commitment of Berlin and Vilnius to defend Europe's freedom from any aggressor. As one of the sights of Vilnius, Gediminas Tower, is set to be displayed on the chevron of the 45th Armored Brigade.
According to Euractiv, Defense Minister Pistorius successfully convinced Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz to transfer not only personnel, but also the entire brigade with its equipment to Lithuania. Der Spiegel magazine described the deployment as "a personal achievement of Defense Minister Pistorius." Although the threat is palpable in Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn for German soldiers, they are committed to their mission.
The deployment of the 45th Armored Brigade, consisting of approximately 5,000 German troops and 200 civilian personnel, marks a significant shift in European politics and security, as it is in response to Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine. This move, spearheaded by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, is a joint commitment by Berlin and Vilnius to defend Europe's freedom from any aggressor, with Gediminas Tower in Vilnius set to be displayed on the chevron of the brigade.
