During the night of 26–27 July, the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Lithuania, led by German Armoured Brigade 45 "Lithuania" (Panzerbrigade 45), have conducted a force deployment scenario exercise simulating a situation in which conventional strategic transport assets – rail, sea or air transport – are only available to a limited extent, requiring the redeployment of forces exclusively by road.
As part of preparations for the upcoming rotation, the movement of military personnel and equipment from Germany via Poland to Lithuania was incorporated into a pre-planned training activity. The exercise demonstrates close cooperation among NATO Allies across Europe, enhance military mobility, and reaffirm the Alliance's readiness to reinforce collective defence.
As part of the 20th rotation of the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Lithuania, Panzerlehrbataillon 93 (93rd Armoured Battalion) from Munster, Germany, is deploying to Rukla. The military convoys assigned to the NATO Multinational Battle Group that arrived in Lithuania consisted of approximately 80 units of heavy wheeled and tracked military equipment, such as tanks, armored vehicles, and cargo vehicles. The convoy have conducted a tactical road march under its own to Kazlų Rūda. Such exercises allow for an assessment of the Allies’ ability to redeploy forces rapidly and flexibly under various conditions.
The German 45th Armoured Brigade “Lithuania”, stationed in Lithuania, assumed command of the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Lithuania on 4 February 2026, succeeding the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ Iron Wolf Infantry Brigade, which had commanded the battlegroup for nine years. Germany serves as the framework nation for the battlegroup, with rotating personnel from Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, and Croatia. Germany is one of Lithuania's key Allies and makes a significant contribution to the security and deterrence posture of NATO's Eastern Flank.
Photo credit: private Džiugas Švaikauskas.
