German Brigade in Lithuania Reaches 1,700 Personnel and Will Grow to 2,000 by the End of 2026

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda stated that the country will not face major challenges in deploying a full German brigade by the end of 2027.

Despite claims of a shortage of German volunteers, the Lithuanian side promises to create all the necessary conditions for a comfortable stay for the soldiers and their families, LRT reports.

According to the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense, 1,700 soldiers are currently serving in the German 45th Armored Brigade. By the end of this year, this number is planned to increase to exceed 2,000 personnel.

To ensure proper training of the troops, the Lithuanian President also insists on establishing a new training ground in Kapčiamestis. Nausėda noted that without consent to expand training capabilities, the existence of the political alliance loses its meaning.

In February, it was reported that only about 10% of the required number of soldiers had volunteered for service in the 45th Brigade’s 2,000 positions in core units, including artillery, reconnaissance, and engineering units.

Later, the German government assured the Lithuanian side that Bundeswehr units would be fully deployed in Lithuania.

In total, by the end of 2027, 4,800 German military personnel and 200 civilian employees are to be permanently stationed in Lithuania.