A German military unit, previously known as the “Lithuania Brigade”, has been officially established in Vilnius, Lithuania, with the unveiling of its emblem. The Panzerbrigade 45, a military large unit of the German Army, is the first of its kind to be stationed in a foreign country, marking a significant step in a project that will see the deployment of around 4,800 soldiers and 200 civilian staff by the end of 2027. The main base of the brigade will be in a barracks area near the Truppenübungsplatz in Rudninkai, southeast of the country near the border with Belarus.
The establishment of the unit is seen as a response to the perceived threat of Russia, with the German government aiming to send a signal of deterrence to Moscow. The Baltic states, including Lithuania, have expressed concerns over potential Russian aggression and the German presence is seen as a reassuring factor.
The commander of the combat force, Brigadegeneral Christoph Huber, described the atmosphere among the troops as one of “Aufbruchsstimmung”, or a sense of new beginnings, with a high level of interest in serving in the brigade. Critics had previously questioned whether enough volunteers would be found, but the commander reported a large number of interested individuals.
The development of the unit is seen as a milestone on the path to permanent stationing, with the “Article Law for the Time of Change” being passed in February, following the Bundestag’s approval in January. The law includes increased allowances for readiness duties and a new supplement for the spouses of soldiers who move to the foreign base, intended to support their future retirement planning, as they may not be able to contribute to the pension fund. The German parliament also passed an agreement with Lithuania, regulating the legal details of the stationing.