The Minister of Defense of Lithuania thanked the German partners and noted that the greatest threat to all states in the region is Russian aggressive policy.
Deployment Bundeswehr brigade in Lithuania indicates Germany's readiness to defend the entire eastern flank NATO.
This was stated by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius at a joint press conference with his Lithuanian colleague Arvydas Anusauskas in Vilnius after the signing of the corresponding road map, Ukrinform reports.
“We are ready to defend the territory of Lithuania… We in Germany have realized the realities of security and are sending a clear signal to everyone who feels in danger… We take responsibility and a leadership role on NATO's eastern flank,” – said the German Defense Minister.
Pistorius noted that a permanent Bundeswehr contingent in another country will be deployed for the first time: until now, the German military has only carried out temporary missions abroad on a rotational basis. Pistorius called it an investment in the future.
According to the road map signed on December 18, the German contingent will consist of 4,800 military personnel and about 200 civilian workers. The development of infrastructure has already begun, creating comfortable living conditions for military families near Vilnius and Kaunas.
The Minister of Defense of Lithuania thanked the German partners and noted that the greatest threat to all states in the region is Russian aggressive policy.
Pistorius first announced plans to deploy a German brigade in Lithuania in June. This is a flagship project in the context of security policy, the impetus for which was Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
In the second quarter of 2024, the forward command of the brigade in Lithuania will begin work, which should develop into the formation headquarters by the end of the year. The brigade should be finally formed in 2025, after which the first training will begin. The brigade will reach full combat capability by the end of 2027.
Recall that earlier the German Minister of Defense called on NATO countries to prepare for war with the Russian Federation: “We have several years.”
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