The commander of the German 45th Panzer Brigade stationed in Lithuania, Brigadier General Christoph Huber, has reiterated the ambitious goal of transforming the unit into a fully operational brigade within the next two years. In remarks to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, Huber emphasized the intent to demonstrate a clear message of deterrence, stating the aspiration is to achieve “a combat-ready and operational brigade by the end of 2027 to contribute to the prevention of war”. He underscored the significance of signaling resolve, describing a posture of “thus far and no further” and highlighting that NATO represents “the strongest defense alliance in history – and that’s nothing to joke about.
To facilitate this transformation, Huber stressed the importance of training exercises tailored to reflect realistic and demanding conditions. He articulated a focus on implementing “as close to wartime conditions as possible” emphasizing the inclusion of elements such as casualty response and battlefield trauma management. “Self-care and buddy assistance must function. The rescue chain must function. Soldiers must be able to rely on their comrades to their left and right. Ultimately, this is what enables us to fight” Huber explained.
A significant element of the preparation involves anticipating the nature of future conflicts. Huber emphasized that military planning must focus on preparing for “the war of the future” rather than relying on past or present experiences. “We, as soldiers, must always prepare as best as possible for the war of the future.
The conflict in Ukraine is playing a key role in informing this strategic adaptation. Huber stated that the German military is closely analyzing the ongoing operations in Ukraine to glean valuable lessons and inform future readiness. While acknowledging the continued relevance of armored units, he also highlighted the rising importance of modern technologies, including attack drones, reconnaissance drones and counter-drone systems.
The deployment and strengthening of the Bundeswehr’s presence in Lithuania remains a top priority for the German military. According to Huber, the brigade will receive the necessary equipment and resources to fulfill its mission, including advanced weaponry such as the Leopard 2A8 tank, the Puma S1 armored vehicle, the Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzer and “Loitering Munition”. He assured that the resulting force will be “a powerful and combat-ready brigade”.