Germany is moving forward with a substantial military deployment to Lithuania, preparing to station approximately 5,000 soldiers in the Baltic state.
The move represents a significant escalation in Berlin’s commitment to NATO’s eastern flank and marks the largest German troop presence in the region since the Cold War.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is scheduled to visit Vilnius to discuss the operational details and strategic implications of the deployment.
The force will be centered around the 45th Armoured Brigade, a key component of Germany’s new defense posture.
In a notable shift in recruitment strategy, Pistorius has declared that Germany is prepared to deploy conscripts to the brigade if voluntary recruitment fails to meet the necessary targets.
This willingness to utilize conscripts underscores the urgency Berlin places on filling the brigade’s ranks and maintaining a credible deterrent presence in the Baltics.