Today, the 45 Armored Brigade of the German Armed Forces officially enters service in Lithuania. The previous formation staff will become the regular brigade staff with a military muster in Vilnius. The brigade is thus officially established as a major military unit of the German Army. At the same time, the brigade also receives its official coat of arms.
In addition, the Lithuanian brigade’s medical center in Rokantiskés and a staff support company and a telecommunications company in Nemenciné will be set up on this day. In the summer, there will be a corresponding ceremonial roll call in the Lithuanian public.
Armored Brigade 45 is the core part of the military and civilian services that will be deployed in Lithuania under the umbrella term Brigade Lithuania. In the summer of 2023, Defense Minister Pistorius announced in response to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine decided to permanently station an operational German combat brigade in Lithuania, thereby assuming responsibility within NATO to assume responsibility within NATO.
By the end of 2025, around 500 members of the brigade will be serving in Lithuania. Depending on the completion of the required infrastructure by Lithuania, more and more troops will gradually be deployed from Germany until the target number of 4,800 soldiers and 200 civilian employees is reached.
In addition to the Lithuanian brigade, the Bundeswehr will also be visible in numerous exercises in Lithuania this year: in May, the Rapid Forces Division will take part in the “Griffin Lightning” exercise with around 700 soldiers and in the “Swift Response” exercise with up to 500 soldiers. In September, Panzerbrigade 37 “Freistaat Sachsen” will take part in the “Grand Eagle II” exercise with up to 1,000 soldiers.
This is the first time in history that the Bundeswehr has stationed a brigade abroad. The establishment of the brigade began with the signing of the bilateral roadmap by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Lithuanian counterpart on 18 December 2023. preliminary command on site which became a task force by the end of the year. This has now grown into a brigade staff.
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