A 5,000-strong armored brigade in Lithuania is set to be fully operational by 2027, according to German military plans.
Germany has begun its first permanent foreign troop deployment since World War II, positioning the 45th Armored Brigade in Lithuania near the Belarusian border. The move reflects Berlin’s efforts to bolster NATO’s eastern flank amid rising geopolitical tensions.
On Tuesday, an official ceremony took place near Vilnius, where Brigadier General Christoph Huber assumed command of the newly established unit. The event was reported by the German Bundeswehr Association (DBwV) and state media.
“We have a clear mission—to protect, ensure freedom, and guarantee security for our Lithuanian allies here on NATO’s eastern flank,” General Huber stated during the ceremony.
German troops who arrived in Lithuania last year to prepare for the deployment have now been officially integrated into the brigade. Once fully staffed by 2027, the unit will consist of around 5,000 military and civilian personnel and be equipped with approximately 2,000 heavy weapons, according to army plans.
NATO Expansion and Russia’s Response
Moscow has long viewed NATO as a threat, condemning its expansion as a direct challenge to Russian national security. The alliance’s support for Ukraine and its pledge to eventually admit the country as a member have been cited by Russian officials as major factors in the ongoing conflict with Kiev.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, a strong advocate for the Lithuania deployment, has warned that Russia could launch an attack on NATO by 2029 or 2030—a claim Moscow firmly denies.
Germany’s Changing Military Policy
In 2023, Berlin and Vilnius signed an agreement to station German troops in Lithuania, initially naming the unit the 42nd Brigade. Two of its battalions will be composed entirely of German soldiers, while a third will include troops from other NATO nations. Portions of the brigade will be stationed at the Rudninkai training ground, just 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Belarus, with additional units placed near the village of Rukla between Vilnius and Kaunas.
Since the fall of the Nazi regime, Germany has limited its military presence abroad to temporary NATO missions, such as its involvement in Afghanistan after 2001. The decision to permanently station troops in Lithuania marks a significant shift in Berlin’s defense policy.
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