Germany Deploys First Permanent Troops to Lithuania Amid Europe's Changing Security Landscape

Germany has sent its first troops to Lithuania since World War II, with plans to station around 4,800 soldiers permanently due to Europe's changing security situation.

Defense Minister called it an "important step." This is in response to increasing tensions in Europe and the brigade is expected to be operational by 2027.

Around two dozen soldiers arrived on Monday to prepare the ground for more troops.

A German army brigade, consisting of approximately 4,800 soldiers and 200 civilian members, along with their families, is scheduled to be stationed permanently in Lithuania.

The preliminary command for this deployment traveled to Lithuania on Monday, and the first forces are expected to be welcomed by the Lithuanian Defense Minister.

The preliminary command will grow to around 150 personnel by the end of 2024.

Additionally, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht announced plans to reorganize and streamline the country's military command to make NATO's most populous European member's armed forces more war-capable.

Pistorius, a German defense minister, has raised concerns about potential Russian attacks on NATO countries and urged Germany to increase its military capabilities.

This stance goes against Germany's post-World War II tradition of military caution.

In 2022, Scholz, the current German chancellor, responded by committing to increase defense spending to NATO's target of 2% of GDP and establishing a €100 billion fund to modernize the German military (Bundeswehr).