Germany Deploys New Brigade to NATO’s Eastern Flank in Lithuania
In a move to strengthen the security of the Baltic region, the German Bundeswehr has deployed a new brigade in Lithuania, a key location on NATO’s eastern flank. The development was confirmed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a visit to Vilnius, where he met with Lithuania’s Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius and the country’s President, Gitanas Nauseda.
Merz emphasized Germany’s commitment to the security of its Baltic partners, stating that the safety of the region is also a matter of concern for Germany itself. He noted that the security situation in the Baltics remains tense, as “Russia’s aggressive revisionism” poses a threat not only to Ukraine but to the entire Euro-Atlantic security landscape.
In response, Germany is contributing to the protection of NATO’s eastern flank by deploying the new brigade, a symbol of solidarity with its Baltic partners. The brigade, which will be fully operational by 2027, will consist of approximately 4,800 military personnel and 200 civilian employees.
This marks a new chapter for the Bundeswehr, as it is the first time a combat brigade of this size will be stationed abroad on a permanent basis. The plans for the deployment were agreed upon in late 2023 and a vanguard team arrived in Lithuania in April 2024 to prepare the ground for the brigade’s establishment.