Germany has activated its first permanent foreign troop deployment since World War II, establishing a 5,000-strong armored brigade in Lithuania. This decision follows Defense Minister Boris Pistorius’ announcement in 2023 to bolster troop presence on NATO’s eastern flank in response to the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian War.
The deployment demonstrates Germany’s willingness to take a leading role in the conventional defense of Europe with Brigadier General Christoph Huber emphasizing, “We’re not only moving toward operational readiness; we’re taking responsibility.”
According to the Bundeswehr, the brigade will consist of three major combat units—including a mechanized infantry battalion, a tank battalion, and the multinational enhanced Foreign Presence Battle Group Lithuania—and will be complemented by combat and support elements. The brigade aims to be…
