Germany's Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, celebrated a "historic moment" as he and his Lithuanian counterpart signed a deal for a permanent German combat brigade to be stationed in Lithuania until 2027. This isn't your typical tour of duty; the Bundeswehr is bringing over 5,000 soldiers and civilian employees for a long-term presence, making it their largest overseas deployment ever. They'll be stationed in Rukla and Rudninkai, near Vilnius and Kaunas, ready to safeguard NATO's interests.
The 4,800 strong military contingent, supported by around 200 civilian employees, will form a "war-ready" brigade loosely known as the 45th Panzer Brigade or Lithuania Brigade. The deployment aims to strengthen NATO's eastern flank and serve as a tangible deterrent against potential Russian aggression in the region.
According to the plan, a preliminary command will be established in Lithuania next year, expanding into a "deployment force" by the end of 2024. The Lithuanian brigade officially enters service in 2025 with a full roll call.
Pistorius hailed this as a significant shift from temporary rotations to a more permanent presence. He emphasized that Germany was seizing a leadership role on NATO's eastern flank. Post-visit to Lithuania, Pistorius was set to jet off to Niger, planning talks with local officials and checking in on Bundeswehr troops at the air transport base.
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This is a landmark moment for the Bundeswehr, broadening Germany's role in NATO and serving as a powerful deterrent against potential Russian aggression. Each move underscores the alliance's commitment to safeguarding its eastern flank.
