Germany has begun long-term deployment of a military brigade in Lithuania, marking its first permanent stationing of troops abroad since World War II.
The initiative was formally launched with an inauguration ceremony in Vilnius, marking the official start of the German unit’s operations in the Baltic country.
The unit currently includes 400 soldiers, with plans to expand to 4,800 troops and 200 civilian personnel.
Its main base is a newly constructed barracks complex in Rūdninkai, in southeastern Lithuania near the Belarusian border, designed to accommodate up to 3,000 soldiers and featuring a dedicated medical center.
Another strategic location is Rukla, in central Lithuania, where Germany aims to integrate NATO’s existing Multinational Battlegroup as the brigade’s third combat battalion.
The cities of Vilnius and Kaunas will support housing and infrastructure for personnel and their families.
“The permanent stationing of a heavy brigade with combat and support forces in the Baltics is a clear signal of strength and a demonstration of responsibility in Europe,” the German Army stated, highlighting it as its most significant contribution to NATO’s eastern flank to date.
Boosting Defense
Germany and Lithuania are deepening military cooperation as both nations ramp up defense capabilities in response to ongoing security concerns amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
Earlier this month, Germany announced plans to increase its military spending, aiming for a defense budget equivalent to 5 percent of GDP.
Lithuania, already one of NATO’s top defense spenders relative to GDP, has pledged to further increase its military budget, announcing in January plans to allocate 5 to 6 percent of its GDP annually to defense from 2026 to 2030.
