German Defense Minister: Armored Division stationed in Lithuania will achieve full combat capabilities by the end of next year Xinhua News Agency, Berlin, November 4th (Reporters Zhang Rong and Li Chao) German Defense Minister Pistorius stated on the 4th that the 45th Armored Division of the German Army in Lithuania is expected to achieve full combat capability by the end of 2027. Pistorius attended the Berlin Security Conference that day and said that the Armored Brigade is the first time the Bundeswehr has deployed a large force overseas in a long time, and plans to deploy around 4,800 soldiers and 200 civilians. He said that Germany and Europe must strengthen defense and emphasized that Europe also needs a strong transatlantic partnership. Lithuanian Defense Minister Kovna said on that occasion that Germany is Lithuania's main strategic partner and Europe should take on more responsibility for deterrence and defense within NATO. On the same day, the defense ministers of the two countries also signed a letter of intent to deepen strategic cooperation, which aims to strengthen military cooperation between the countries. After the outbreak of the crisis in Ukraine in 2014, Germany decided to deploy a combat-capable force in Lithuania to ensure the security of NATO's eastern flank. According to the garrison agreement signed by the two countries within NATO, the German 45th Armored Division will be deployed before the end of 2027. According to the German Ministry of Defense website, the brigade was officially established in April 2025 and then assumed command of NATO's multinational combat forces in Lithuania.

German Defense Minister: Armored Division stationed in Lithuania will achieve full combat capabilities by the end of next year Xinhua News Agency, Berlin, November 4th (Reporters Zhang Rong and Li Chao) German Defense Minister Pistorius stated on the 4th that the 45th Armored Division of the German Army in Lithuania is expected to achieve full combat capability by the end of 2027. Pistorius attended the Berlin Security Conference that day and said that the Armored Brigade is the first time the Bundeswehr has deployed a large force overseas in a long time, and plans to deploy around 4,800 soldiers and 200 civilians. He said that Germany and Europe must strengthen defense and emphasized that Europe also needs a strong transatlantic partnership. Lithuanian Defense Minister Kovna said on that occasion that Germany is Lithuania's main strategic partner and Europe should take on more responsibility for deterrence and defense within NATO. On the same day, the defense ministers of the two countries also signed a letter of intent to deepen strategic cooperation, which aims to strengthen military cooperation between the countries. After the outbreak of the crisis in Ukraine in 2014, Germany decided to deploy a combat-capable force in Lithuania to ensure the security of NATO's eastern flank. According to the garrison agreement signed by the two countries within NATO, the German 45th Armored Division will be deployed before the end of 2027. According to the German Ministry of Defense website, the brigade was officially established in April 2025 and then assumed command of NATO's multinational combat forces in Lithuania.