First German Troops Arrive in Lithuania for Long-term Deployment
Germany has started deploying troops in Lithuania—a member of NATO—making it the first time since World War II that German forces will be stationed long-term outside their home country.
On April 8, Germany sent off the initial 20 soldiers on a permanent deployment. In December, the two countries signed an agreement to station a German brigade in Lithuania, marking a historic moment according to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
During a brief farewell ceremony at the Berlin airport, Mr. Pistorius mentioned that it was the first time a unit would be permanently stationed outside Germany, which was significant for NATO and the alliance’s defense capability.
Germany’s Defense Ministry stated that the German military personnel will settle in Vilnius and oversee the planning, with an additional 150 personnel expected to join later this year.
A German army division is slated for deployment by 2027, aiming to station 4,800 troops and about 200 civilians permanently in coordination with NATO, as per Mr. Pistorius last December.
The new base in Lithuania is intended to deter Russia from attacking neighboring countries, as reported by Deutsche Welle.
Lithuania’s Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas called the move a great example for NATO’s eastern flank that borders Russia and Belarus, emphasizing the importance of a strong defense and deterrence architecture.
Lithuania is preparing bases for the German brigade near Russia and Belarus under the agreement, with plans to accommodate German military personnel and their families, as stated in a report by LRT.
This deployment is the first permanent, stand-alone German presence abroad, different from previous multinational force rotations.
As tensions escalate with Russia, NATO has pledged to enhance its military presence along its eastern border, with the new German brigade slated to be a crucial part of NATO regional defense plans.
Reuters, The Associated Press, and Adam Morrow contributed to this report.
