Latest news with #PanzerBrigade45
Irish Independent
24-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
John Downing: We need to learn from neutral Austria on defence boost
New foreign minister has thrown her support behind EU efforts to spend more on security Today at 21:30 Neutrality will not stop Austria joining EU efforts to seriously develop stronger defence capabilities in a much-changed world dominated by Vladimir Putin's aggression and Donald Trump's capriciousness. That message from Vienna this week came on the same day that Germany sent tanks to Lithuania, eight decades after the horrors of World War II. German chancellor Friedrich Merz was in Vilnius along with his defence minister Boris Pistorius as Panzer Brigade 45 became the first such German presence on foreign soil since 1945.
Irish Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Merz vows to defend Nato territory as German troops deploy in Lithuania
Eight decades after the Nazi horrors of the second World War , Lithuania has welcomed German soldiers – this time as Nato allies. Amid growing doubt over the US commitment to the region, chancellor Friedrich Merz said the co-operation − involving the deployment of a German brigade in Lithuania − marked a 'new era' of German readiness to defend 'every inch' of Nato territory and stand with the Baltic region against 'any threat'. In Vilnius on Thursday, Merz and his defence minister Boris Pistorius oversaw the first ceremonial role call of the Panzer Brigade 45, the first battle tank brigade based outside Germany since 1945. 'We are determined, together with our allies, to defend Nato territory against any, any threat. We must do everything to defend ourselves – so that we never have to,' said Merz alongside Lithuanian president Gitanas Nauseda. READ MORE The German leader praised successive Baltic governments for recognising the Russian threat and acknowledging their 'irritation' over long-lasting German 'illusions about Putin's regime'. 'I assure you, that time is over,' Merz said. 'We are aware of the seriousness of the situation. And we are aware of our responsibility.' The new brigade comes a week after Merz promised that unprecedented German defence investment will result in Europe's greatest conventional army. About 400 German soldiers are stationed in the Baltic region at present. Some have begun their basic training while others will follow in the coming months. By February 2026, the Nato multinational force in Lithuania will be subordinated to the new German division, bringing total numbers up to 1,800. In a year's time Germany aims to have nearly 2,000 soldiers on the ground. A year later the hope is for the brigade to grow to about 5,000 personnel. The new brigade is headquartered in Rudninkai, 30km south of the capital, with a focus on the vulnerable Suwalki Gap. This is a narrow corridor between Kaliningrad and Belarus and is seen as a potential flashpoint in any potential Nato-Russia conflict. [ Merz vows to build the strongest army in Europe and revitalise Germany's fortunes Opens in new window ] Memories of the last major conflict here hung over Thursday's ceremony. Nazi Germany occupied the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania from 1941 until the end of the war in 1945. Though initially welcomed as liberators from Soviet oppression, the Nazi occupiers murdered huge numbers of the local population, including the majority of the Jewish and Sinti-Roma communities. The new deployment has led to the rise of German-language schools and housing projects in Lithuania, while German defence company Rheinmetall is setting up a new factory here. In exchange Lithuania has agreed to step up orders of German equipment and technology, including Rheinmetall's Leopard 2 tanks and Boxer armoured vehicles. Germany's deployment mirrors commitments by France, the UK, and Canada, which lead Nato battle groups in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, respectively.
Toronto Sun
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Germany vows to defend Baltics against any Russian threat
The decision to deploy an entire brigade in Lithuania came as part of a revamp of NATO's defence posture Published May 22, 2025 • 3 minute read Friedrich Merz and Gitanas Nauseda, left, during a welcoming ceremony in Vilnius, Lithuania, on May 22, 2025. Photo by Paulius Peleckis / Photographer: Paulius Peleckis/G Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany's military is prepared to defend the Baltic region against 'any threat' as he arrived in Lithuania to mark the establishment of a battle tank brigade aimed at bolstering NATO's eastern flank. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Merz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius took part in the first ceremonial roll call of the Panzer Brigade 45 in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. Germany aims to complete the establishment of the brigade by the end of 2027, with as many as 5,000 personnel on the ground. It will be the country's first permanently-deployed battle tank brigade abroad since World War II. 'We are determined together with our allies to defend NATO territory against any, any threat,' Merz told reporters in Vilnius alongside Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on Thursday. Security in the region 'is also our security,' he said. With the US expected to roll back security commitments to Europe under President Donald Trump, Germany has pledged to play a greater role in the continent's defense. The new center-right chancellor has vowed to transform the German military from a laggard to Europe's strongest conventional army. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The decision to deploy an entire brigade in Lithuania came as part of a revamp of NATO's defence posture following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It was taken after months of pressure from the government of the frontline Baltic nation, which is wedged between Russia's exclave of Kaliningrad and Kremlin ally Belarus. In a speech, Merz lauded Baltic governments for recognizing the Russian threat — at a time when Germany still harbored 'illusions about Putin's regime' — a source, he acknowledged, of 'irritation' in the region on the European Union's eastern border. 'I assure you, that time is over,' Merz said. 'We are aware of the seriousness of the situation. And we are aware of our responsibility.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Merz played down any prospect of a swift resolution to the war in Ukraine, despite a recent flurry of diplomatic activity. 'We have no illusions. There is no quick solution,' he said. A closely-watched Russian military exercise scheduled for September in Belarus, known as Zapad, remains a source of tension, Nauseda said, since it has simulated an attack on the Baltic states in recent years. Lithuania will monitor the activity, he said. 'In a normal scenario we don't expect any special surprises,' the Lithuanian leader said. 'But sometimes unforeseen incidents happen during military drills — and often conflicts start following these unforeseen incidents.' There are currently around 400 German soldiers stationed in the Baltic nation, which the German authorities hope to increase to 500 by the end of this year, according to the Defense Ministry. German personnel have already begun their first training and exercise activities on the ground, which will be further stepped up in the coming months. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In February 2026, NATO's multinational force in Lithuania will be subordinated to the Panzer Brigade 45, bringing the unit's numbers up to 1,800. By summer 2026, Germany aims to have nearly 2,000 soldiers on the ground. RECOMMENDED VIDEO However, whether Berlin can deploy a full brigade by the end of 2027 depends partly on how quickly Lithuanian authorities can expand infrastructure and accommodation for the further 3,000 soldiers needed to meet that goal. Merz reiterated that Germany under his leadership is prepared to go along with a proposed NATO defense spending goal of 3.5% on core defense and an additional 1.5% on military-related infrastructure by 2032. 'That's doable and reasonable,' he said. Lithuania is ramping up defense spending to 5.25% of GDP to bolster its own army as well as to host the German brigade. The Baltic nation estimates it may spend about €1 billion ($1.1 million) to build military and training infrastructure for the German forces. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A further hurdle is Germany's struggle to attract more young people to military service. Berlin recently passed a law to improve pay and working conditions for soldiers deployed abroad, including those in Lithuania. Germany's expanded military presence in the Baltics has also opened up investment opportunities for defense giant Rheinmetall. Rheinmetall signed a deal with the Lithuanian government last year to construct an ammunition production plant in Lithuania, expected to produce tens of thousands of artillery rounds each year and to create at least 150 new jobs. The German arms manufacturer is currently in talks with neighboring Latvia on setting up domestic defense production, Bloomberg News reported previously. Sunshine Girls Columnists Columnists Sunshine Girls World
Bloomberg
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Germany Vows to Defend Baltics Against Any Russian Threat
By and Milda Seputyte Updated on Save Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany's military is prepared to defend the Baltic region against 'any threat' as he arrived in Lithuania to mark the establishment of a battle tank brigade aimed at bolstering NATO's eastern flank. Merz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius took part in the first ceremonial roll call of the Panzer Brigade 45 in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. Germany aims to complete the establishment of the brigade by the end of 2027, with as many as 5,000 personnel on the ground. It will be the country's first permanently-deployed battle tank brigade abroad since World War II.
Mint
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Germany Scales Up Battle Tank Brigade in Baltics to Deter Russia
Germany is ramping up its battle tank brigade in Lithuania to strengthen NATO's eastern flank as European allies take unprecedented steps to deter an increasingly hostile Russia. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will take part in the first ceremonial roll call of the Panzer Brigade 45 in the heart of the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on Thursday. Germany aims to complete the establishment of the brigade by the end of 2027, with up to 5,000 personnel on the ground. It'll be the country's first permanently-deployed battle tank brigade abroad since World War II. With the US expected to roll back security commitments to Europe under President Donald Trump, Germany has pledged to play a greater role in the continent's defense. The new center-right chancellor has vowed to transform the German military from a laggard to Europe's strongest conventional army. The decision to deploy an entire brigade in Lithuania came as part of a revamp of NATO's defense posture following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It was taken after months of pressure from the government of the frontline Baltic nation, which is wedged between Russia's exclave of Kaliningrad and Kremlin ally Belarus. Merz is expected to echo the message of predecessor Olaf Scholz, who pledged during a visit to the region last year that Germany will defend 'every inch of territory' of its three Baltic NATO allies in case of a Russian attack. There are currently around 400 German soldiers on site, which the German authorities hope to increase to 500 by the end of this year, according to the Defense Ministry. German soldiers have already begun their first training and exercise activities on the ground, which will be further stepped up in the coming months, a German Defense Ministry spokesman said. In February 2026, NATO's multinational force in Lithuania will be subordinated to the Panzer Brigade 45, bringing the unit's numbers up to 1,800. By summer 2026, Germany aims to have nearly 2,000 soldiers on the ground. However, whether Berlin can deploy a full brigade by the end of 2027 depends partly on how quickly Lithuanian authorities can expand infrastructure and accommodation for the further 3,000 soldiers needed to meet that goal. Lithuania is ramping up defense spending to 5.25% of GDP to bolster its own army as well as to host the German brigade. The Baltic nation estimates it may spend about €1 billion to build military and training infrastructure for the German forces. A further hurdle is Germany's struggle to attract more young people to military service. Berlin recently passed a law to improve pay and working conditions for soldiers deployed abroad, including those in Lithuania. Germany's expanded military presence in the Baltics has also opened up investment opportunities for defense giant Rheinmetall. Rheinmetall signed a deal with the Lithuanian government last year to construct an ammunition production plant in Lithuania, expected to produce tens of thousands of artillery rounds each year and to create at least 150 new jobs. The German arms manufacturer is currently in talks with neighboring Latvia on setting up domestic defense production, Bloomberg News previously reported. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
