The handover of the unit flags of Panzerbataillon 203 (left) and Panzergrenadierbataillon 122 (right) in Oberviechtach, Germany, on 4 February formalised the subordination of the two battalions to Panzerbrigade 45 ‘Litauen’. (Bundeswehr/Marco Dorow)
The German-led NATO Multinational Battlegroup Lithuania, formerly the enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) battlegroup in the country, was subordinated to German Panzerbrigade 45 ‘Litauen’ in Kaunas on 4 February, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg) and the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence (MND) announced later the same day.
This followed the brigade taking command on 29 January of Panzerbataillon (Armoured Battalion) 203 from Augustdorf in northern Germany and Panzergrenadierbataillon (Armoured Infantry Battalion) 122 from Oberviechtach close to the Czech-German border, where the transfer of command ceremony took place. The Bundeswehr said on its website later the same day that this would increase Panzerbrigade 45’s combat readiness. The two battalions will remain in Germany until completion of their infrastructure in Lithuania.
Deterrent effect
On 4 February, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said, “We are taking a major step closer to our goal of establishing a fully operational German combat brigade on NATO’s eastern flank by 2027. Today’s transfer of Multinational Battlegroup Lithuania is a milestone. The brigade now comprises three combat battalions. In parallel, our Lithuanian partners are working intensively to provide the necessary infrastructure, as we jointly agreed in the road map. We are on schedule… We are assuming responsibility within the NATO alliance and for the Baltic states.”
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