The Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany responds to the increasing aggression of the Russian military activity by Ukraine’s borders and the deteriorating security situation in the Baltics by deploying additional military capabilities to Lithuania this week. The first soldiers of the German reinforcement arrive in Lithuania Monday.
“Germany’s decision to send more troops to Lithuania is necessary and timely, it demonstrates NATO solidarity, unity and collective defence commitments,” said Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas.
Germany assigns additional troops to the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group deployed at Rukla. Led by Germany, the NATO unit currently includes approx. 1,200 allied military personnel, aside from the new addition.
The battalion-sized NATO eFP Battle Group has been deployed in Lithuania and manned on a rational basis since 2017. It has been provided in the original concept that reinforcement may be sent in to Rukla if so necessary.
“The additional troops deployed to Lithuania on just a few days of notice to move time. It’s a strong signal that Germany is willing and capable of reinforcing the Battle Group immediately is needed,” Commander of the NATO eFP Battle Group Lt Col Daniel Andra said welcoming the reinforcement to Lithuania.
Approx. 15 thousand troops from 9 allies have already served in the NATO eFP Battle Group Lithuania over the five years of its deployment. Over the time, civilian and military personnel has been deployed to Lithuania by Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, France, Czech Republic, Croatia, Luxembourg and Iceland.