On June 21-22 Vice Minister of National Defence Vilius Semeška conducted a visit to Germany, met with State Secretaries in Germany’s Federal Ministry of Defence and manufacturers of the Vilkas Infantry Fighting Vehicles for by the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
At the meeting with Permanent State Secretaries Gerd Hoofe and Benedikt Zimmer in Berlin V. Semeška thanked them for the personal input in strengthening the bilateral Lithuanian-German defence cooperation. Vice Minister also underscored that the German military presence in Lithuanian is one of the key NATO deterrence and defence measures and thanked for the German investment in military infrastructure.
“The security situation in our region remains tense, therefore a long-term NATO enhanced Forward Presence in Lithuania is crucial. We thank Germany for leading the Battalion in Lithuania, for the support to the Lithuanian Armed Forces, and the substantial and weighty role in ensuring security in the Baltic region,” said V. Semeška to the State Secretaries in the Ministry of Defence of Germany.
“We have a special appreciation for your investment in military infrastructure in Lithuania. We are looking for solutions to improve infrastructure, especially military training areas, as well. I would like to emphasize that the new Government has an ambitious security and defence programme – we will continue investing into our defence and security. Not only shall we continue the work already begun but also seek an even stronger cooperation with Germany,” said Vice Minister.
The Ministry of National Defence is upgrading the infrastructure the German-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group uses in Rukla. The infrastructure for eFP logistical and technical support which is currently in the works is in large part funded by the Federal Ministry of Defence. Another effort to take place this year is a long-term expansion of munitions warehouses in the territory of Rukla Garrison. The storage infrastructure will be dedicated to Lithuanian and NATO eFP Battle Group’s combat supplies.
During the visit Vice Minister also visited the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) factory in Munich which makes the Vilkas Infantry Fighting Vehicles bought by the Lithuanian Armed Forces. V. Semeška discussed the progress of the projects, IFV delivery deadlines and other topical matters directly with the top executives of the factory, of OCCAR which conducts the acquisition of the Infantry Fighting Vehicles, and of the ARTEC consortium. “Provision of infantry fighting vehicles to our troops is a priority national defence project and we are working to have it done on time,” said Vice Minister of National Defence.
Germany is one of Lithuania main allies in security and defence: the country makes great contributions to the development of Lithuania’s defence capabilities, it is a long-standing and close Lithuania’s partner in the modernization of our Armed Forces, weaponry, and military equipment. Germany not only leads the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group deployed in Rukla but also provides the largest portion of military personnel in it, moreover, the country is an active participant of the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states. Germany has also recently become Lithuania’s main partner in the international operations in Mali and the Mediterranean.
Photo credits: MoD
