It was intended as a strong signal to the Lithuanian public: infantry fighting vehicles from the German Bundeswehr Puma infantry fighting vehicles took part in the parade in Vilnius this week for the first time in honor of Lithuanian Armed Forces Day – thus flying the flag in the run-up to the planned deployment of a heavy brigade of the German army in Lithuania.
Every year on November 23, Lithuania celebrates the formation of its armed forces in 1918. Every five years, this is the occasion for a large military parade in Vilnius. This year, around 1,500 soldiers and more than 100 military vehicles from 19 countries took part. It was the largest military parade in the history of the Baltic state to date.
At Lithuania’s invitation, two Puma infantry fighting vehicles from Panzerbrigade 12 “Oberpfalz” from Cham were among them this year. This was the first time that Pumas were seen in the Baltic States. In front of thousands of enthusiastic Lithuanian citizens, they formed a symbol for the future in the course of the parade, which celebrated the 105-year history of the country’s armed forces – as a harbinger of the so-called Lithuanian brigade. This brigade will be equipped with the latest version of the Puma infantry fighting vehicle. For the soldiers under the leadership of Captain Alexander G. from the 4th Company of the Panzergrenadier Battalion 112 from Regen, taking part was an opportunity in many respects. “It is a real honor to be able to take part in this parade,” said the captain, who added that the opportunity to take part in a military parade does not exist in Germany. In addition, the soldiers were given the opportunity to try out the processes involved in the transfer of an armored infantry platoon with Puma to Lithuania – important with regard to the future deployment area. https://militaeraktuell.at/gdels-steyr-tatra-kommt-ein-8×8-pandur-ii-evo/ The parade was attended by high-ranking guests: Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda, Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas and Chief of Defense Lieutenant General Valdemaras Rupsys thanked not only their own soldiers but also those of the allied armed forces in their speeches. Guests from the German side included the Inspector General General Carsten Breuer, the Commanding General of the Multinational Corps North-East Lieutenant General Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart and the Commander of the Panzergrenadierbrigade 41 “Vorpommern” Brigadier General Christian Nawrat.
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