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2d ago

Germany Activates First Permanent Overseas Brigade in Lithuania to Strengthen NATO Defense

Chancellor Friedrich Merz formalizes the deployment of troops to bolster NATO's eastern flank against Russian threats, marking a significant shift in Germany's defense policy.

Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda, right, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz , left, talk to the media at the Presidential palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a press conference in Vilnius, Lithuania May 22, 2025. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins
Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Lithuania Defense Minister Docile Sakaliene and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius participate with military leaders at a formal inauguration of a German brigade for NATO's eastern flank in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
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Overview

  • Germany's 45th Armoured Brigade has officially begun operations in Lithuania, marking the Bundeswehr's first permanent overseas deployment since World War II.
  • The brigade, consisting of 4,800 troops and 200 civilian personnel, is expected to reach full operational capacity by 2027 under a bilateral agreement with Lithuania.
  • Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius attended the inauguration ceremony in Vilnius, emphasizing NATO unity and deterrence against Russian aggression.
  • Infrastructure projects, including barracks, roads, and schools, are underway in Lithuania to support the brigade's long-term presence, with Lithuania committing over 5% of GDP to defense spending starting next year.
  • The brigade will utilize German-made Leopard 2 A8 tanks to ensure interoperability with Lithuanian forces, reinforcing NATO's collective defense capabilities.