U.S. Media: Germany Continues to Promote Large-Scale Deployment of Permanent Troops in Lithuania

Reference News Network, February 7 According to a report from the U.S. magazine "National Interest" on February 4, the German Bundeswehr continues to gather forces in the Baltic Sea region. This is the first large-scale deployment of a permanent military presence by Germany overseas since the end of World War II. This operation is part of a 1,200-page classified plan known as the "German Action Plan," which aims to address concerns that Russia may launch a military offensive against Germany in the coming years.

As part of the troop increase plan, two combat battalions of the German military arrived in Lithuania last month. It is expected that by 2027, more than 5,000 German soldiers may be stationed in Lithuania. The first group of 250 soldiers from the Bundeswehr's 45th Armored Brigade has arrived in Lithuania in the fall of 2024, marking Germany's official military presence on Lithuanian territory.

These German troops will be stationed near the city of Rūdninkai, which is about 30 kilometers from the southeastern border of Lithuania that adjoins Belarus.

Previously, Berlin had rotated military personnel to Lithuania, which borders the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. However, the deployment of armored units to Lithuania marks the first official stationing of brigade-level forces by Germany overseas since the end of World War II in 1945.

According to a roadmap action plan agreed upon by Berlin and Vilnius in December 2023, Germany intends to deploy 105 "Leopard"-2A8 main battle tanks operated by the Bundeswehr to Lithuania. The presence of German troops in Lithuania aims to deter Moscow and ensure that Berlin has time to respond in the event of a Russian attack.

In May 2025, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated in a speech to the German troops stationed in Lithuania: "The security of Lithuania is our security. Defending Vilnius is defending Berlin."

According to European News Television, Merz reaffirmed this commitment last month.

Merz also said, "This brigade-level force is not a political symbol, but a military contribution to deterrence and defense."

The German brigade stationed in Rūdninkai will receive support from a multinational task force composed of eight allied nations. The latter will rotate deployments to the region, using Rukla in central Lithuania as a base of operations. (Translated by Yang Xuelai)