Ready for use from 2027
Pistorius promises a “war-ready” Bundeswehr brigade
December 18, 2023, 3:35 p.m
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Germany wants to demonstrate its military strength on the border with Russia. Together with NATO partner Lithuania, a German combat brigade will be stationed in the Baltic Republic until 2027. Defense Minister Pistorius speaks of a historic moment.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Lithuanian colleague Arvydas Anusauskas have paved the way for the stationing of a Bundeswehr brigade in Lithuania by signing a so-called roadmap. As the Federal Ministry of Defense announced, the brigade with around 5,000 Bundeswehr members is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2027. The ministry spoke of a “clear sign of solidarity with NATO allies.”
According to the information, the brigade comprises around 4,800 soldiers and around 200 civilian employees – never before has the Bundeswehr stationed so many soldiers and civilian members of the Bundeswehr permanently abroad. They will be stationed in Rudninkai and Rukla, close to the two major cities of Vilnius and Kaunas.
Next year, an incident command will begin work in Lithuania, which will grow into a so-called deployment team by the end of 2024. In 2025, the Lithuanian Brigade is to be officially put into service with a deployment roll call.
“With this war-ready brigade, we are assuming leadership responsibility here in the alliance and on NATO’s eastern flank,” said Pistorius at the signing ceremony in Vilnius. He spoke of a “historic moment”. In the past it was “always temporary, rotating assignments”. “This is new.” Pistorius announced the permanent transfer of Bundeswehr soldiers to the NATO partner country in June. According to the Ministry of Defense, it is about deterring Russia and protecting NATO alliance territory.
After his visit to Lithuania, Pistorius wanted to travel on to Niger, as a spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of Defense said. Plans include, among other things, a visit by soldiers to the air transport base there and discussions with those responsible on site. The Bundeswehr maintains an air transport base in the capital Niamey.