Germany ready to deploy 'strong brigade' to NATO's eastern flank

Germany has announced preparations to deploy a full brigade in Lithuania, after the Baltic state called on NATO to strengthen its eastern flank.

"Germany is ready for a strong brigade to be stationed permanently in Lithuania. The prerequisite for deploying this force is that the necessary infrastructure is ready, including barracks, training grounds and ammunition depots," German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said today after a visit to Lithuania.

Germany's move comes after Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausea warned on June 25 that if Belarus takes in Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin following the weekend's rebellion in Russia, NATO would need to strengthen its defenses on its eastern flank.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius at a press conference in Berlin on June 14. Photo: AFP

According to Minister Pistorius, increasing Germany's military presence on NATO's eastern flank would come at "significant costs", but stressed Berlin's commitment to regional security. He said plans to strengthen NATO's defenses in the region were important.

After Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, NATO deployed four multinational battle groups with a total strength of about 5,000 troops to Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. These battle groups are led by the US, Germany, Canada and the UK, with the aim of holding the enemy back if a conflict breaks out, giving NATO troops more time to deploy to the front lines.

Germany leads the NATO battle group in Lithuania, which consists of about 1,000 troops. With the additional 4,000 soldiers, Germany will have a full brigade of 5,000 troops in Lithuania.

Location of Lithuania. Graphics: BBC

Last month, the German Defense Ministry announced the transfer of a number of military assets, including Patriot air defense systems, from Slovakia to Lithuania to help ensure security for the NATO summit in Vilnius in July. The German military also pledged to continue to support Slovakia in protecting its airspace.

Germany has deployed Patriot complexes on Lithuanian territory since Russia launched its operation in Ukraine in February 2022.

Huyen Le (According to AFP , Reuters )

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