On July 14 the French contingent deployed as part of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Lithuania will celebrate the national day of France – Bastille Day – with a ceremony: national flag of France will be hoisted and La Marseillaise sung.
This is the third contingent that France deploys to implement the NATO deterrence and defence measures in the Baltic states. When the French contingent will be fully integrated with the rest of the eFP in late July, the unit will be fully ready to take part in exercises and training of the NATO eFP in Lithuania. Formal inauguration of the French contingent is scheduled in Rukla for late July.
This ceremony takes place in the framework of the French national day. It is also a way for the new French contingent integrated in the eFP Battle Group recently arrived in Lithuania to present itself through a gathering within the Lithuanian military camp of Rukla.
The French contingent is composed of nearly 300 soldiers, roughly 200 of them as a mechanized infantry company, and 100 soldiers will manage logistic and administration affairs. The French troops will serve as one of the NATO eFP maneuver companies, in combat support units, and in the NATO eFP Lithuania HQ.
The first portion of the French Tactical Component deployed in Lithuania in early July. The troops and equipment are deployed from the 5th Dragoon Regiment located in Mailly le Camp and equipped with the best assets in the French Army, a battalion well-adapted with the relevant knowledge to conduct the training period within the NATO eFP Lithuania.
Like all the other eFP contingents, the French soldiers brought their combat, logistical and administrative equipment. The maneuver unit will be serving with Leclerc main battle tanks and VBCI infantry fighting vehicles.
All soldiers currently present in Lithuania have been tested before landing and all have been declared negative for COVID-19.
The NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Lithuania has the total strength of over 1,200 soldiers. The incoming French troops will replace Croatian colleagues.
The most consequential security assurance that Lithuania received in the NATO Summit in Warsaw in July 2016 was the collective Alliance decision to form enhanced Forward Presence forces for the Baltic states and Poland as of 2017. An element of the overall NATO posture, the eFP is designed to clearly show NATO allies’ solidarity, resolve, and ability to as act as one immediately in responding collectively to any aggression. NATO Heads of States and Governments adopted the decision as a reaction to the Russian aggression in Ukraine and changes in the geopolitical situation. Formation of the enhanced Forward Presence signals of Alliance solidarity and puts into practice the concept of reliable deterrence and defence. France has already rotated troops to the eFP in Lithuania in 2017 and 2018.
Media opportunity
Media representatives wishing to cover the Bastille Day event in Rukla on July 14 at 8.00 a.m. are invited to register by e-mail until 2.00 p.m. of July 13 at [email protected] , or by phone at +370 657 48397 (please give your name and surname, media outlet, contacts – cell phone no., e-mail address). Following the formal part of the commemoration on July 14 , Chiefs of the French Tactical Contingent and Logistic Support Unit will be available for interviewing.
Registered media representatives should arrive at the Training Regiment (Rukla, Jonava region) on July 14 before 7.40 a.m.
Freelance reporters and foreign media representatives will need accreditation given by the MoD Strategic Communication and Public Relations Department, e-mail: [email protected]. Information required: filled out questionnaire form, copies of a personal ID document and confirmation letter from the media outlet.
Photo credits: French Army
