Germany to Station Troops in Lithuania in Historic Deployment

In response to Russia's aggression in Ukraine, Germany will permanently deploy approximately 4,800 troops in Lithuania, marking its first foreign deployment since World War II.

• Germany and Lithuania have signed an agreement for the permanent deployment of approximately 4,800 German troops in Lithuania, marking Germany's first permanent foreign deployment since World War II.
• The German troops, including families, will be stationed in the Lithuanian cities of Kaunas and Vilnius beginning in 2024, with full-operation capability expected by 2027.
• The move is seen as a response to Russia's aggression in Ukraine and a step towards strengthening NATO's deterrence and collective defense.
• Lithuania will provide all necessary civilian and military infrastructure, allocating 0.3 percent of its GDP over the next several years to fund the deployment and build housing, training grounds, and other infrastructure for the German troops.
• Concerns have been raised about the financial sustainability of the deployment and the readiness of the German brigade, especially given that one of the units has handed all of its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and is waiting for newly built replacements.

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