VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) – Lithuanian leaders hailed a “historic event” as Germany on Monday began deploying troops in the Baltic country – a NATO member – marking the first time since World War II that German forces will be based outside the country on a long-term basis.
About two dozen soldiers arrived in Lithuania, laying the groundwork for a further 150 to join them later this year. The deployment is expected to be up to its full strength of 5,000 by the end of 2027.
“This is the first time that we have permanently stationed such a unit outside of Germany,” German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in Berlin at a farewell ceremony for the preliminary command of Germany´s Lithuanian brigade, according to German news agency dpa. Pistorius called it “an important day for the German army.”
In the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas said that the move was “a great example” for all the countries on NATO’s eastern flank, on the border with Russia and its ally, Belarus.
VILNIUS, LITHUANIA – APRIL 08: Members of the first contingent of the Bundeswehr, the German armed forces, deploying to Lithuania as part of the new Lithuania Brigade arrive at Vilnius Airport on April 08, 2024 in Vilnius, Lithuania. The Lithuania Brigade, made up of the new 45th Armoured Brigade (Panzerbrigade 45), will eventually include 4,800 Bundeswehr troops stationed with heavy equipment long-term in Lithuania as part of a NATO contingent designed to strengthen NATO’s eastern flanks and provide added deterrence to possible Russian aggression. Lithuania borders the Suwalki Gap, a strategic region that links Poland to the Baltic countries. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
08 April 2024, Brandenburg, Schönefeld: Bundeswehr soldiers from the preliminary command of the Lithuanian brigade wait at the military section of Berlin-Brandenburg Airport for their departure to Vilnius with Airbus A400Ms next to their luggage. The Lithuanian brigade is expected to be operational by the end of 2027 with around 4800 soldiers. Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa (Photo by Kay Nietfeld/picture alliance via Getty Images)
“We will create such a defense and deterrence architecture that no adversary from the east will even think about testing NATO´s Article 5,” he told reporters.
Article 5 on collective defense is at the heart of the 32-member North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It states that an armed attack against one or more of the members shall be considered an attack against all.
Some 4,800 soldiers and around 200 civilians with the German army will be stationed permanently in Lithuania, which is increasingly worried by its aggressive neighbors.
Under an agreement, Lithuania is preparing military bases for the German brigade to be deployed in this Baltic state bordering Russia´s Kaliningrad exclave to the west and Belarus to the east.
The German army, the Bundeswehr, has taken part in long-term operations abroad since the 1990s, first in the Balkans and then in combat operations in Afghanistan. At the moment, the Bundeswehr says German soldiers are deployed in Europe, Asia and Africa, as well as in the Mediterranean.
However, this is the first permanent standalone German deployment, not on rotation as part of a multinational force.
Kasciunas said the German brigade is expected to reach full operational capacity by 2027.
“For us, this means more effective deterrence of the enemy and even greater security. It is an example of exceptional leadership and commitment as we actually see NATO´s collective defence and unity at work,” Lithuania Chief of Defence Valdemaras Rupsys added.
Up to one-third of troops are expected to bring their family members, according to the Lithuanian Defense Ministry.
Pistorius said Germany “will do everything we can to equip the brigade as it needs to be equipped from the outset.”