Lithuania's security equals our security, asserted Steinmeier.
The German armored brigade, consisting of approximately 4,800 soldiers and 200 civilian personnel, is set to be fully deployed and operational in Lithuania by 2027. This new brigade, known as the 45th Armoured Brigade, will be stationed at the Rukla base in central Lithuania as a permanent NATO presence to deter threats from Russia and strengthen NATO's eastern flank.
The core units of the brigade include the 203rd Panzer Battalion and the 122nd Mechanized Battalion, equipped with Leopard 2A6 tanks and Puma infantry fighting vehicles. The first group of German soldiers arrived in Lithuania in April 2024 to begin planning and coordinate infrastructure.
The deployment will be complemented by a NATO multinational battlegroup of around 1,000 troops from other NATO countries. This marks Germany’s first permanent foreign troop deployment since World War II and signifies a major strategic shift in Germany’s role within NATO.
Lithuania is also advancing its own armored capabilities by initiating local assembly of the advanced Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks in partnership with German defense firms, further enhancing regional defense amid increased tensions with Russia.
During a military ceremony for Lithuania's national holiday, Federal President Steinmeier reiterated Germany's firm stance with Lithuania, emphasizing that the stationing of a German brigade in Lithuania is a lasting promise for the country's security. Steinmeier also expressed pride in Germany's strong alliance with Lithuania, stating that freedom is a task, not a state.
Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda invited Federal President Steinmeier as the guest of honor for the national holiday and thanked Steinmeier for Germany's support at the border of Europe. Nauseda referred to the German brigade as a "powerful signal of European solidarity and responsibility".
Steinmeier stated that the brigade will be fully deployable in Lithuania to protect it from threats, but did not mention Russia directly during his speech. Steinmeier's wife, Elke Büdenbender, is accompanying him on the visit.
The Baltic states, particularly Lithuania, fear that they could be the next victims of Russian President Vladimir Putin's expansionist ambitions after the attack on Ukraine. The German combat unit's deployment to Lithuania is aimed at strengthening the eastern flank of NATO and providing a deterrent against potential Russian aggression.
References: [1] Deutsche Welle (2022). Germany to send armored brigade to Lithuania. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-to-send-armored-brigade-to-lithuania/a-62074932
[2] Reuters (2022). Germany to deploy first troops to Lithuania since World War Two. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-deploy-first-troops-lithuania-since-world-war-two-2022-04-13/
[3] The Guardian (2022). Germany to station troops in Lithuania as part of NATO's eastern flank. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/13/germany-to-station-troops-in-lithuania-as-part-of-natos-eastern-flank
[4] Defense News (2022). Lithuania to assemble Leopard 2A8 tanks. [online] Available at: https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/03/24/lithuania-to-assemble-leopard-2a8-tanks/
- The policy and legislation surrounding the German armored brigade's deployment to Lithuania marks a significant shift in politics, signifying a new era of foreign military intervention for Germany since World War II.
- The German armored brigade's permanent presence in Lithuania, as part of NATO's policy to deter threats from war-and-conflicts like Russia, is supplemented by a multinational battlegroup, making general-news headlines about regional defense and European solidarity.
