On July 16–29 the German 10th Armored Division Headquarters will for the first time train in Lithuania at Exercise Schneller Degen in the Lithuanian Armed Forces Gen S. Žukauskas Training Area. This is the first time Germany is holding a command-post exercise of such kind on a territory of an ally, it is held by initiative of the Division command.
Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lt Gen Valdemaras Rupšys met with Commander of the 10th Panzer Division Maj Gen Ruprecht von Butler to discuss the upcoming military exercise, experience from a variety of military operations, and other topics of military cooperation enhancement.
At Exercise Schneller Degen, headquarters personnel of the 1th Panzer Division of the Bundeswehr will be training staffs of the 12th Tank Brigade, 37th Armored Infantry Brigade and the 23rd Mountain Infantry Brigade of Germany, as well as he staff of the Mechanized Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf of the Lithuanian Armed Forces to plan and lead collective allied defence operations. The exercise scenario trains responding to hybrid threats and carrying out high-intensity collective defence operations.
The forward-deployed headquarters of the Division, headquarters of the Brigades in its composition, exercise evaluation personnel, and part of the training units are deploying to Lithuania, while the main headquarters and other units remain in Germany, Wildflecken, and control the exercise rhythm in our country.
Annual Exercise Schneller Degen was for the first time moved from winter season to summer due to the pandemic. Lithuania will ensure Host National Support – logistics, provision, procurement, transportation, catering, and other services.
On July 16 Commander of the 10th Panzer Division Maj Gen Ruprecht von Butler visits Pabradė Training Area to present the exercise and open it. Lithuania build infrastructure, Camp Tauras, specifically for the exercise.
