German Chancellor Friedrich Merz traveled to Lithuania on Thursday for the formal inauguration of a new German combat brigade stationed in the Baltic country, a significant step in bolstering NATO's eastern flank against growing Russian threats.
Merz was received by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys ahead of a high-profile ceremony in Vilnius’ central square, where more than 1,000 Lithuanian and German troops gathered to mark the formation of the 45th Armoured Brigade—dubbed the “Lithuania Brigade.” The unit will eventually comprise around 4,800 troops and 200 civilian personnel, and is expected to be fully operational by 2027.
“This is a clear signal that Germany is ready to defend every inch of NATO territory,” Merz said, warning that the security of the Baltic states is also Germany’s security. “Anyone who challenges NATO must know that we are prepared.”
The move marks Germany’s largest permanent overseas deployment since World War II and reflects a major shift in its defense posture under the “Zeitenwende” (Turning Point) doctrine, first introduced by former Chancellor Olaf Scholz following Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
While Germany has previously contributed troops to international missions in Afghanistan and Mali, the establishment of a permanent combat brigade in Lithuania represents an unprecedented commitment in the post-war era.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda hailed the deployment as a demonstration of “unbreakable force” in the NATO alliance, saying, “Together we will ensure that the people of Lithuania and Germany never face the ultimate test: that of war.”
Germany’s defense ministry has described the Lithuania mission as “one of the most complex and ambitious projects” in Bundeswehr history. Some 700 German troops are already stationed in Lithuania, with an advance team of 400 deployed ahead of the full brigade’s rollout.
Challenges at Home, Pressures Abroad
Despite the fanfare, Berlin faces significant hurdles. Years of underfunding have left the Bundeswehr with personnel shortages and outdated equipment. The military is struggling to recruit, even as it aims to increase its ranks to 203,000 soldiers by 2031.
A reform law passed in January seeks to make military careers more attractive, offering flexible work arrangements and better financial incentives. Yet defense experts warn that modernizing the armed forces will take years, even as geopolitical tensions rise.
The deployment also comes amid uncertainty over U.S. commitment to NATO. President Donald Trump has pressured European allies to increase defense spending and suggested that under his leadership, Washington might not protect NATO members that fall short of the alliance’s 2% spending goal.
Against this backdrop, Merz has vowed to build Europe’s “strongest conventional army” and to take a greater international leadership role. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius recently said the Lithuania deployment “sends a strong message of solidarity and readiness.”
Lithuania, which shares borders with both the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus, is viewed by Germany’s defense ministry as “the most endangered state on NATO’s eastern flank.” The region has seen increasing hybrid threats, with Moscow accused of cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and airspace violations.
This month, a Russian spy plane was reportedly spotted in Belarus monitoring a NATO military exercise in Lithuania, according to Der Spiegel.
As geopolitical fault lines deepen, Berlin’s bold new deployment signals a defining moment in Germany’s post-war military identity—and a decisive stance on NATO’s commitment to collective defense.