German military forces are being actively deployed in Lithuania near the Belarusian border. By 2027, Germany plans to permanently station about 5,000 troops there, which will be the Bundeswehr’s largest overseas deployment in recent decades, according to the publication “Glavkom,” citing Bild.
Rapid Construction Pace
Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas noted that infrastructure preparation work is proceeding faster than expected. The first phase of construction is nearly ten months ahead of schedule, allowing the second phase to begin earlier.
Modern infrastructure for the military
Residential buildings, schools, kindergartens, and medical facilities are being built in Lithuania to accommodate the German units. Lithuania expects the brigade to be fully staffed and equipped by 2027.
Currently, there are already about 1,800 German troops in Lithuania participating in the “Freedom Shield” exercises near Pabradė, just 20 km from the Belarusian border. Kaunas emphasized that the new German brigade will be of great importance for strengthening NATO’s eastern flank and deterring potential threats from Russia and Belarus.
Units from the 45th Tank Brigade, the 203rd Tank Battalion from Augustdorf, and elements of the 122nd Motorized Infantry Battalion from Oberfichtach are participating in the exercises and will subsequently be redeployed.
