NATO mission in Lithuania: Bundeswehr plans barracks

Created: 12/28/2021 Updated: 12/28/2021, 6:27 AM

Christine Lambrecht (SPD), Federal Minister of Defense, speaks to German soldiers from the NATO task force in Lithuania.

© Kay Nietfeld / dpa

Defense Minister Lambrecht has assured NATO partner Lithuania solidarity in the event of tensions on the eastern flank.

The Bundeswehr's commitment is long-term and is now given a foundation.

Berlin - Germany and Lithuania are planning the construction of a permanent barracks for the deployment of the NATO battle group in the Baltic country.

In the new facility, soldiers of the multinational association should be housed together with Lithuanian units, confirmed the operational command in Schwielowsee near Potsdam. According to the plans, the system should be built near the city of Rukla. So far, planning costs in the single-digit millions have been deposited for the project, said a spokesman at the request of the German Press Agency. The project is to be paid for jointly by Lithuania and Germany. The total costs cannot yet be quantified.

In response to the annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea by Russia in 2014 after the coup in Ukraine, NATO stepped up the security of its own eastern flank.

Joint combat units were stationed in the three Baltic states and Poland as part of an “enhanced forward presence”.

They are exchanged every six months, also because the NATO-Russia Founding Act does not allow allied troops to be stationed permanently in Eastern Europe.

As a so-called framework nation in Lithuania, Germany provides around half of the 1200 NATO soldiers there.

Lambrecht visits soldiers

Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht had visited the German soldiers of the combat unit in Rukla before Christmas.

“My first mission trip takes me to Lithuania quite deliberately,” said the SPD politician and affirmed that military deterrence is necessary, but also a willingness to engage in dialogue.

The trip took place against the background of growing tensions with Russia, which can be seen in the Russian troop deployment on the border with Ukraine and the migration crisis fueled by Belarus on the borders with Poland and Lithuania.

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The combat formation at Rukla is currently spread over two locations. The Bundeswehr hopes that the construction of a new operational property on the site of the Gaižiūnai military training area will result in greater efficiency, relief for military traffic and freed up capacities for the Lithuanians' own training programs. "In this way, we are also making a contribution to improving the military capabilities of our host nation," said a spokesman for the operational command.

As the framework nation in Lithuania, Germany has "assumed responsibility for deepening the good relations between the two countries and their armed forces," said the spokesman.

"In this respect, the implementation of this infrastructure measure primarily serves this purpose," he said.

The rotation principle of the troops of Germany and other NATO nations will not change.

dpa