Germany has commenced the deployment of 5,000 troops to Lithuania, its first such action since World War II, in a move to bolster NATO’s eastern flank amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
The newly activated 45th Armored Brigade, stationed near Vilnius, has a clear mandate to ensure the defense, freedom, and security of Lithuania and NATO’s eastern border.
This long-term commitment marks a shift in German defense policy. The unit is expected to be fully operational by 2027 and will be based in a new military complex in R?dninkai.
The deployment, including support units, is seen as crucial for Lithuania’s national security and a key component of NATO’s transition toward defense-based deterrence. It also signals a move away from Germany’s traditionally static military posture.
