Germany Deploys Tank Brigade To Lithuania, Enhancing NATO's Anti-Russia Defense

NATO is making increasingly clear its commitment to face the threat posed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 

It is putting its troops and armor in the path of any further Kremlin invasion plans. JL 

Militarnyi reports:

The first group of the German 45th Brigade arrived in Lithuania for permanent deployment to cover NATO’s eastern flank. The decision to permanently deploy the German contingent was made on December 23, 2023, under the influence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It aims to strengthen NATO’s presence in the countries that share a common border with Russia and Belarus. The 203rd Panzer Battalion and the 122nd Mechanized Battalion are to become the core of the unit. They are armed with Leopard 2A6 tanks and Puma infantry fighting vehicles.

The first group of the German 45th Brigade arrived in Lithuania for permanent deployment to cover NATO’s eastern flank.

The Ministry of Defense of Lithuania reported on this.

On April 8, 2024, the first group of 21 German soldiers, who became the first unit of the 45th ‘Lithuania’ Brigade, was delivered to Vilnius Airport on a C-130 military transport aircraft of the German Air Force.

 

Most of the group will be based in Vilnius. It will be responsible for planning the redeployment of the brigade to Lithuania and coordinating military infrastructure requirements.

 

The decision to permanently deploy the German contingent was made on December 23, 2023, under the influence of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It aims to strengthen NATO’s presence in the countries that share a common border with Russia and Belarus.

“Today, less than four months after Lithuania and Germany signed the brigade’s deployment plan, the initial command and control team of the 45th Brigade HQ Lithuania has arrived in our country. For us, this means even more effective deterrence and even greater security, and it is an example of exceptional leadership and commitment when we actually see NATO’s collective defense and unity working,” said the Lithuanian Armed Forces Commander. Forces, General Valdemaras Rupšys.

Deployment of the 45th Brigade

It is planned that by the end of the year, the brigade’s headquarters in Lithuania will increase to 150 servicemen, whose functions will include further work on organizing the movement of German soldiers to serve in Lithuania.

 

After the military infrastructure is created at the Rūdininkai training ground, the military territory of the Šalčininkai district will become the main location of the German brigade. Most of the soldiers of the German army brigade will serve at the Rūdininkai training ground, while the rest will serve in Rukla. German soldiers and their families will live in Vilnius and Kaunas.

The main forces of the 45th Brigade will be deployed to Lithuania in stages: the first soldiers will arrive this year, and the main redeployment of units will take place in 2025-2026. In 2027, the German brigade should reach full combat capability.

It is expected that a total of 4,800 German soldiers and 200 civilians will be deployed to Lithuania for permanent residence. The brigade deployed in the country will be headed by Colonel Andre Hastenrath, who previously served in Lithuania.

The 45th Brigade is a newly created unit. It consists of three battalions and logistics units.

Soldiers of the 122nd Mechanized Battalion. Photo credits: Panzergrenadierbataillon 122

The 203rd Panzer Battalion and the 122nd Mechanized Battalion are to become the core of the unit. They are armed with Leopard 2A6 tanks and Puma infantry fighting vehicles.