Construction starts on military base in Germany close to Russian boundary
Construction has commenced on a military base intended to accommodate a German contingent, according to the Lithuanian Defense Ministry. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Lithuania is constructing a new military base located between Russia's Kaliningrad and Belarus, according to the country's Defense Ministry in Vilnius. This development will accommodate a German troop presence, just 20km from the border with Belarus, in proximity to the Russian territory.
An agreement, formalized in December 2023 during a meeting between German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Lithuania's then Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas, laid the groundwork for this initiative. It marks the first instance of a permanent German military installation on foreign soil since World War II concluded.
The installation, dubbed the 42nd Heavy Armored Brigade, is slated to be fully operational by the end of 2027, hosting a total of 4,800 soldiers geared for combat, 200 civilian staff, and equipped with robust military hardware and auxiliary facilities. The brigade will consist of three battalions: two entirely German units comprising an armored and a heavy infantry battalion, and a third, multinational unit.
At the announcement, Minister Pistorius described the deployment as an expression of Germany’s commitment to "assume leadership responsibility" in NATO.
In a recent update posted on X, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry announced the launch of what it described as its "largest-ever military project" at Rudninkai, strategically premiering to station the majority of the German brigade. The Defense Ministry claims that this substantial initiative "strengthens regional security and reaffirms our commitment to NATO collective defense."
Lithuania’s chief of defense, Raimundas Vaiksnoras, mentioned to Reuters, "the brigade will work as reassurance to our population and as deterrence, to push the Russians out."
During the ceremony marking the start of construction, it was noted that Lithuania expects to invest over €1 billion in the next three years to establish the base, a significant expenditure for the small nation with a population of just 2.9 million. In response to these financial demands, Lithuania has increased its defense budget to 3% of its GDP this year, offset by higher taxes.
Germany already plays a leading role in a NATO multinational task force based in Lithuania.
Moscow has consistently voiced concerns over the proximity of NATO military forces near the Russian border, which it perceives as a looming threat to its national security, compelling it to respond accordingly.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
An agreement, formalized in December 2023 during a meeting between German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Lithuania's then Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas, laid the groundwork for this initiative. It marks the first instance of a permanent German military installation on foreign soil since World War II concluded.
The installation, dubbed the 42nd Heavy Armored Brigade, is slated to be fully operational by the end of 2027, hosting a total of 4,800 soldiers geared for combat, 200 civilian staff, and equipped with robust military hardware and auxiliary facilities. The brigade will consist of three battalions: two entirely German units comprising an armored and a heavy infantry battalion, and a third, multinational unit.
At the announcement, Minister Pistorius described the deployment as an expression of Germany’s commitment to "assume leadership responsibility" in NATO.
In a recent update posted on X, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry announced the launch of what it described as its "largest-ever military project" at Rudninkai, strategically premiering to station the majority of the German brigade. The Defense Ministry claims that this substantial initiative "strengthens regional security and reaffirms our commitment to NATO collective defense."
Lithuania’s chief of defense, Raimundas Vaiksnoras, mentioned to Reuters, "the brigade will work as reassurance to our population and as deterrence, to push the Russians out."
During the ceremony marking the start of construction, it was noted that Lithuania expects to invest over €1 billion in the next three years to establish the base, a significant expenditure for the small nation with a population of just 2.9 million. In response to these financial demands, Lithuania has increased its defense budget to 3% of its GDP this year, offset by higher taxes.
Germany already plays a leading role in a NATO multinational task force based in Lithuania.
Moscow has consistently voiced concerns over the proximity of NATO military forces near the Russian border, which it perceives as a looming threat to its national security, compelling it to respond accordingly.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
