German brigade in Lithuania to be in place by 2027

German Armed Forces - German brigade in Lithuania to be in place by 2027

NATO partners Germany and Lithuania want the new German combat brigade in the Baltic republic to be fully operational by 2027. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius agreed with his counterpart Arvydas Anusauskas on Monday that extensive infrastructure should be built in Rudninkai near the capital Vilnius and in Rukla near Kaunas to ensure a robust and war-ready brigade. Barracks and living quarters are to be built at the two military bases in accordance with German requirements.

In their roadmap signed in Vilnius, the two ministers reaffirm their states' commitment "to defend each other and every inch of the Alliance's territory at all times and to protect our freedom and democracy in accordance with Article 5 of the Washington Treaty". Russia's ruthless war of aggression against Ukraine had radically changed the security situation.

5000 Bundeswehr soldiers in Lithuania

Germany has offered to station around 5000 men and women of the Bundeswehr in the country on NATO's eastern flank. Lithuania borders Belarus, which is allied with Russia, and the Russian Baltic Sea enclave of Kaliningrad. A narrow land corridor runs between the two to the west - the so-called Suwalki Gap, around which fighting could break out in the event of an attack. For the Lithuanians, Germany's troop deployment in the country is a desired reassurance of its commitment to support them.

After the formal formation of the new brigade in 2025, material and troops are to be built up until 2026. This is described in the paper as a "transition phase", during which the brigade will already be led from Lithuania, while parts will still be brought together in Germany.

These battalions are to form the core of the brigade

Two combat 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. It will be joined by logisticians, medical personnel, communications experts and administrative staff.

The two countries have undertaken to create conditions that will allow members of the Bundeswehr to bring their families with them. The soldiers should be able to find accommodation on the free housing market or in new residential areas that are to be developed. "To ensure healthcare, it is important to rely on the Lithuanian healthcare system," the document states. And: "Germany intends to establish one or two Bundeswehr schools and German-language childcare facilities."

At least until 2025, however, families of Bundeswehr members will "probably have to rely exclusively on the civilian housing market, international schools and existing local and international childcare facilities".

Panzergrenadierbataillon 122 Panzerbataillon 203 German combat brigade in Lithuania Ministry communication, Lithuanian BMVg on Articles 4 and 5 of the NATO Treaty

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1. The infrastructure development in Rudninkai and Rukla aims to support a robust and war-ready German combat brigade in Lithuania, as agreed by Defense Ministers Boris Pistorius and Arvydas Anusauskas.
2. Lithuania, a NATO partner, sees Germany's troop deployment as a reassurance of its commitment to support its defense, especially considering its border with Belarus and the Russian Baltic Sea enclave of Kaliningrad.
3. The commitment to defend each other and NATO territory is reaffirmed in the roadmap signed in Vilnius by the two defense ministers, emphasizing the protection of freedom and democracy.
4. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has significantly altered the security situation, prompting the increase in military presence on NATO's eastern flank.
5. Germany has pledged to station around 5000 men and women of the Bundeswehr in Lithania, with two combat battalions from Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia serving as the core of the new German combat brigade.
6. The multinational NATO battle group in Lithuania, currently under German command, will be joined by logisticians, medical personnel, communications experts, and administrative staff to strengthen the new brigade.
7. Germany and Lithuania have agreed to create conditions to facilitate the relocation of Bundeswehr families, with a focus on housing, healthcare, and education.
8. Until 2025, families of Bundeswehr members will primarily rely on the civilian housing market for accommodation, with existing local and international childcare facilities as options.
9. The proposed agreement includes plans for the establishment of one or two Bundeswehr schools and German-language childcare facilities in Lithuania.
10. The new German combat brigade, with its operational readiness aimed for 2027, will significantly contribute to strengthening NATO's eastern flank and fostering democratic stability in the region.

Source: www.stern.de