On May 12 Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas and Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lt Gen Valdemaras Rupšys will meet with Minister of Defence of Belgium Ludivine Dedonder and Chief of Defence of Belgium Adm Michel Hofman during their visit to Rukla. The Belgian national defence leadership will be conducting a visit to the national troop contribution in the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group. Bilateral meetings of Ministers and Chiefs of Defence have been arranged.
The Belgian contingent was among the first to deploy with the German-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Rukla. Approx. 200 Belgian troops are currently serving there. Belgium was also the first NATO ally to deploy fighter jets to Šiauliai when the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states began in 2004. Belgian military with equipment have trained in exercises in Lithuania many times before as well.
Aside from the Belgian contingent, the NATO eFP Battalion Battle Group deployed in Lithuania since 2017 is formed military personnel of Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Czech Republic, and Luxembourg.
Photo credit: MoD
