Lithuanian army Commander General Raimundas Vaikšnoras says that by 2027 Rüdninkai military training ground will be adapted to the needs of the German brigade being transferred to Lithuania.
"The Rūdninkai training ground is probably the number one priority now. (…) The training ground will be fully adapted for training German capabilities at least until 2027. What I mean is tanks, armored vehicles, artillery," R. Vaikšnoras told LRT radio on Thursday.
Creating suitable conditions for German soldiers and successfully implementing the brigade's deployment plan, according to the general, is currently one of the main goals.
"We are talking and communicating with the German side almost every week, a working group has been established to monitor progress. Of course, we, as Lithuanians, are committed to creating the appropriate conditions, building a town and, most importantly for the soldiers, training and training grounds," he said.
ELTA reminds that on Thursday, during the first visit to Lithuania by the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the 45th Armored Brigade will be inaugurated in the capital. A solemn military ritual will mark the official beginning of the new military unit's existence in Lithuania.
During celebrations On the Cathedral Square Almost a thousand German and Lithuanian soldiers will line up. A ribbon marking the military unit's mission in Lithuania will be ceremoniously attached to the flag of the German brigade.
Berlin committed to deploying a brigade-sized military unit in Lithuania in the summer of 2022. In total, it is planned to transfer about 5 thousand soldiers and civilians of the German brigade to Lithuania. Some of them will arrive with their families.
It is planned that the majority of the brigade will be transferred to Lithuania by 2026. According to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, the brigade will gain full operational capacity in 2027.
The permanent location of the German brigade is planned to be at the Rūdninkai military training ground and Rukla.
Augustė Lyberytė (ELTA)
