Bundeswehr sends pre-commando to NATO's eastern flank

Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine is also having an impact on the Bundeswehr. Before a combat brigade is permanently stationed in Lithuania in 2025, Defense Minister Pistorius is sending a preliminary command to NATO's eastern flank. A meeting with his Lithuanian counterpart is to decide on the procedure.

The Bundeswehr combat brigade planned for deterrence and defense in Lithuania is to be put into service in 2025 with a formal roll call. According to a report, a preliminary command is to be deployed to the territory of the NATO partner in the second quarter of next year. This will then continue to grow so that the deployment team will be in the country by the end of the year at the latest, led by the brigade's first commander.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius plans to sign a roadmap for the deployment with his counterpart Arvydas Anusauskas in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on Monday. Germany is thus responding to Lithuania's security needs following Russia's attack on Ukraine. Lithuania and Germany will undertake to create the framework conditions for the deployment of an operational and war-ready brigade. Pistorius described the project as a "beacon project for the new era".

According to the military, the Lithuanian brigade involves the permanent deployment of around 5,000 men and women in total, including 4,800 soldiers and 200 civilian employees. Two combat troop battalions from Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia are to be deployed as the core of the new brigade. The third battalion will be the multinational NATO battle group (eFP battle group) in Lithuania, which is already under German command in the Baltic state and has rotating personnel.

Need for more security

For Lithuania, the planned deployment is a sign of support and solidarity. The Lithuanian Defense Minister Anusauskas told the German Press Agency at the Gaiziunai military training area prior to the meeting that the Bundeswehr brigade was basically a kind of second army that would significantly increase security in the region. The transfer of up to 5,000 men and women from Germany means a great deal of support for the Lithuanian armed forces. They only have 15,000 soldiers, including 3,500 conscripts. By 2030 there are to be 17,000 to 18,000 soldiers. Lithuania has 2.8 million inhabitants.

According to Anusauskas, the roadmap will specify the infrastructure development and the timetable for the deployment of troops. Specific details will then be regulated in detailed technical agreements for each object and facility. These are to be concluded in addition to a general agreement between Germany and Lithuania, said Anusauskas.

Germany is regarded as a key partner in the rearmament and modernization of the Lithuanian army, which uses German weapons systems and vehicles. Quite a few Lithuanian officers were also trained at Bundeswehr universities.

Lithuania repairs Leopard tanks for Ukraine

Meanwhile, the first Leopard 2 tanks supplied by Germany to Ukraine and damaged in the battle against Russia have been repaired in Lithuania. The repaired battle tanks will soon return to the battlefield from the Baltic EU and NATO country. "Lithuania consistently supports Ukraine's fight for independence and not only sends military aid, but also helps with the repair of Leopard tanks," emphasized Defence Minister Anusauskas.

The Leopard 2 tanks were repaired in a maintenance center set up in Lithuania by the two German defence companies Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall. They were demonstrated and tested at the Lithuanian military training area Gaiziunai - they are expected to be transported back to Ukraine at the beginning of January.

"Hits, mines, drone attacks"

"What can I say? A powerful tank," said Anusauskas after a short test drive. Repair work on the tanks damaged in combat began in October. "We have all kinds of damage from direct hits, mines, drone attacks and also water damage," said Sebastian Dietz, Head of Lithuania Defense Services (LDS), the Lithuanian joint venture between KMW and Rheinmetall. In some cases, this is combat damage that has never been seen before in Germany or on these tanks in general - both on the vehicle and on the turret.

After much hesitation, Germany handed over Leopard 2 A6 tanks to Ukraine in March. Other European partners also promised deliveries to Ukraine, which has been defending itself against Russia's war of aggression for almost 22 months. Neither Anusauskas nor Dietz wanted to reveal how many Leopard 2 tanks are to be repaired in Lithuania. Both pointed out that this also depends on the Ukrainian side.

The maintenance center, where the self-propelled howitzers supplied by Germany to Ukraine were previously serviced, is geared towards the Leopard 2A5 and 2A6 variants. It is almost the only hub in Europe for this, said Dietz. In contrast, the Leopard 2A4 variant, for example, is repaired in a tank workshop in Poland.