On September 18 Minister of National Defence met with the new Ambassador of Germany to Lithuania HE Cornelius Zimmermann. Minister and Ambassador discussed the German Brigade deployment in Lithuania, NATO agenda, air defence, defence industry and procurement.
“Germany is our strategic Ally. We appreciate your leadership and commitments to our region, long-term investment in military infrastructure, as well as support with our acquisitions. German presence in Lithuania, both the permanent deployment of a brigade and in composition of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group, is our long-term priority,” said A. Anušauskas.
Minister assured Ambassador that the Lithuanian governmental institutions were unanimous about the priority status of the task to create the best possible conditions for the permanent deployment of the brigade.
“We aim to make sure that Lithuania is an attractive deployment and service destination for Allied troops. Intense development is underway at Rūdninkai and Rukla to meet the German troops’ needs,” stated A. Anušauskas.
Major of Lithuanian-German areas of cooperation encompass joint exercises and deployments to multinational operations, joining the German-led European Sky Shield Initiative.
Germany also plays a critical role in the modernization of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Lithuania acquires the Vilkas Infantry Fighting Vehicles, G-36 assault rifles, HK SFP9 pistols, Arocs 5-ton trucks, PzH2000 self-propelled 155mm howitzers (Panzerhaubitze 2000) from German manufacturers.
