On July 12 Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas discussed deployment of the German Army Brigade to Lithuania with Federal Minister of Defence of Germany Boris Pistorius on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Vilnius. Ministers agreed that by the fourth semester of 2023 Lithuania and Germany would arrange a joint action plan laying out responsibilities, stages and terms of implementation concerning permanent deployment of the German brigade.
“We are grateful for the determinate Germany’s decision to deploy a permanent presence brigade in Lithuania. It is a particularly steadfast Germany’s commitment that Lithuania greatly appreciates. Creation of the best possible conditions for the brigade in Lithuania is a priority task. We will be allocating EUR 1.1 million for Host Nation Support needs in 2023-2027,” said A. Anušauskas.
Minister also presented to B. Pistorius the military infrastructure development projects currently underway in Lithuania and brought to his attention Lithuania’s great effort to improve the civilian infrastructure – roads, railway, airports. It is relevant for both – improvement of military mobility for deploying forces and access to military training areas and military towns for forces already in Lithuania.
Germany has made a commitment in the recent past to permanently deploy approx. 4 thousand troops in Lithuania. In its turn, Lithuania is committed to ensure all necessary conditions: barracks, warehouses and infrastructure for training. The Ministry of National Defence is currently particular focused on developing training conditions.
A. Anušauskas also thanked Germany for the contribution in ensuring security during the NATO Summit in Vilnius , namely, deployment of the Patriot long-range air defence system. Minister expressed a hope that it was the first step towards the full implementation of the NATO Rotation Air Defence Model and regular Patriot training in Lithuania in the future.
Photo credit: MoD / Sgt 1st Class A. Čemerka
