On June 7 Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda with Vice Minister Margiris Abukevičius and Chief of Defence Lt Gen Valdemaras Rupšys in their escort visited NATO enhanced forward Presence Battalion Battle Group troops at Gen Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area at Pabradė.
The guests viewed the eFP equipment, service and living conditions, the camp. The eFP currently has the strength of approx. 2 thousand allied troops from 7 NATO member states: Belgium, Czech Republic, Iceland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway and Germany.
The German-led battalion has been deployed in Lithuania since early 2017 in response to the Russian aggression in Ukraine and military activity in the region.
The German engagement in strengthening of NATO’s and Lithuania’s defence is crucial: the commitment is not only showcased through the German leadership in the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group but also through the investment in military infrastructure in Lithuania.
The four NATO eFP Battle Groups in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland are led respectively by Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Photo credits: Sgt Spc 1st Class L. Tamošiūnas
