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Germany Officially Deploys Armoured Brigade to Lithuania in NATO Defense Shift

Chancellor Merz and Defense Minister Pistorius formalize the first permanent overseas brigade deployment since World War II to bolster NATO's eastern defenses against Russia.

Le ministre allemand de la Défense, Boris Pistorius, fait une déclaration à son arrivée à une réunion du Conseil de défense au siège de l'UE à Bruxelles, le 20 mai 2025
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Le président russe Vladimir Poutine le 14 mai 2025, à Moscou

Overview

  • Germany's 45th Armoured Brigade is now operational in Lithuania, with 400 soldiers stationed as part of a 2023 NATO agreement to strengthen the alliance's eastern flank.
  • Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius attended the induction ceremony in Vilnius on May 22, 2025, marking a significant milestone in Germany's defense policy.
  • The brigade is set to expand to 2,000 troops by mid-2026 and 5,000 personnel, including 200 civilians, by 2027, reinforcing NATO's deterrence capabilities near the Russian border.
  • Germany is increasing its defense spending with plans to raise military budgets annually, aiming to reach 3.5% of GDP by 2032, as part of ambitions to build Europe's most powerful conventional army.
  • Baltic NATO members remain vigilant against Russian intelligence operations, including recent spy plane and drone surveillance incidents targeting NATO exercises in the region.