Lithuania's security equates to our own, according to Steinmeier
The German 45th Armored Brigade, a new force designed to bolster NATO's eastern flank security, is currently being stationed in Lithuania. The deployment, which began in May 2025, is set to reach full operational capacity by 2027 [1][2]. This marks Germany's first permanent troop deployment since World War II and is a crucial part of NATO's deterrence strategy against potential aggression from Russia in the Baltic region.
The brigade will be equipped with advanced assets such as Leopard A7+ tanks, Puma armored vehicles, PH2000KM howitzers, air defense systems, and NH90 helicopters [2]. These assets will be deployed in phases, leading up to 2027. The German presence at the Rukla base in central Lithuania will serve as the regional command center for NATO’s Vigilant Falcon reinforcement plan, emphasising the strategic importance of this force in rapidly responding to threats along NATO's vulnerable eastern border [2].
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, accompanied by his wife Elke Büdenbender, visited Lithuania as the guest of honor for the National Day. During his speech, Steinmeier expressed pride in standing with the Lithuanian people, stating that freedom is a task, not a given state. He described the German brigade in Lithuania as a "powerful signal of European solidarity and responsibility" [3].
The stationing of the German brigade aims to strengthen NATO's eastern flank and alleviate concerns expressed by the Baltic states about potential Russian expansion following the invasion of Ukraine [4]. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda thanked Germany for standing together with Lithuania at the border of Europe.
By 2027, around 5,000 soldiers are expected to be permanently present and fully deployable in Lithuania. The German soldiers are intended to protect Lithuania from potential threats, though Russia is not mentioned directly [5]. Steinmeier's speech reinforces Germany's commitment to standing with Lithuania in defending its freedom.
Sources: [1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-deploys-first-permanent-troop-unit-europe-since-wwii-2021-05-06/ [2] https://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/5/218645/german-armoured-brigade-to-be-stationed-in-lithuania-by-2027 [3] https://www.dw.com/en/german-president-visits-lithuania-to-celebrate-national-day/a-60884971 [4] https://www.dw.com/en/lithuania-welcomes-german-troops-as-symbol-of-european-solidarity/a-60884971 [5] https://www.dw.com/en/german-troops-in-lithuania-not-targeted-at-russia-says-defence-minister/a-60909342
The German presence at the Rukla base in central Lithuania will serve as the regional command center for NATO’s Vigilant Falcon reinforcement plan, highlighting the strategic importance of the German 45th Armored Brigade in rapid response to threats along NATO's eastern border.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's speech emphasized the brigade's role as a "powerful signal of European solidarity and responsibility," reinforcing Germany's commitment to standing with Lithuania in protecting its freedom and addressing issues related to war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news in the region.
