Germany has confirmed that it will permanently station around 5,000 soldiers and civilian personnel in Lithuania, with the brigade expected to reach full operational capability in 2027. Residential and service facilities are already being constructed at the Rūdninkai military training area, which is intended to host the majority of the brigade and will cover approximately 190 hectares. Lithuanian and German officials who inspected the project say the work is progressing according to schedule.
“Our commitment to permanently stationing a brigade in Lithuania is unwavering. This is a historic decision not only for Germany but also for Lithuania. It is not only one of the most important tasks currently being undertaken by the German Armed Forces – the Bundeswehr. It is also part of a new era of strengthening deterrence and defence on NATO’s eastern flank,” said Jan Stöß, State Secretary at the German Ministry of Defence, during his visit to the Rūdninkai military training area construction site.
According to him, this is an extraordinarily complex and large-scale project. Lithuania has committed itself to preparing both the military and civilian infrastructure necessary to host the brigade and support military operations.
“I would like to emphasise the tremendous expertise and remarkable creativity Lithuania has demonstrated in addressing this enormous challenge,” the politician said. “I am grateful for the way Lithuania is welcoming our servicemen and servicewomen. We truly feel welcome here.”
Together with Lithuania’s Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, he toured the facilities that have already been completed and where German soldiers will live.
“I think everyone is quite satisfied and impressed. We have just toured the new buildings, and everyone was impressed by the high standards. Therefore, I believe this will be a real success story,” said J. Stöß.
Although Germany had initially expected to relocate volunteers to Lithuania, German media have reported that there may not be enough of them. During a visit to Lithuania in June, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius assured officials that, if there are not enough volunteers, other measures will be taken and the troops will arrive in Lithuania regardless. J. Stöß echoed that position.
“The brigade has already grown to 2,000 men and women, and the entire German brigade will continue to be reinforced gradually as infrastructure becomes available to us. By the end of next year, we expect around 5,000 German military personnel and civilian employees to be stationed here in Lithuania. And I am confident that the necessary infrastructure will indeed be ready for us, as we can already see today,” he said.
The Largest Military Infrastructure Project
Prime Minister of Lithuania Mindaugas Sinkevičius says he will personally oversee the project.
“This is the largest military infrastructure project in the history of independent Lithuania. It is so large that it is comparable in scale to an entire town such as Šilalė,” he said. “I am pleased that both countries – Germany and Lithuania – are making every possible effort to ensure that the project is completed on time and to a high standard. It appears that a strong start will lead to a successful, swift, and high-quality completion. I will personally continue to monitor this project because it is the largest of its kind, although at the moment there are no indications that any additional oversight or control measures are necessary.”
He also said that he had invited German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to visit Lithuania.
“I invited the German Chancellor to come to Lithuania. We discussed the fact that it would certainly be worthwhile to meet. At the moment, no visit has been formally scheduled or arranged, but I have expressed both the need and the desire for such a meeting to the Chancellor. I believe that once our schedules allow, we will be able to agree on a date,” the Prime Minister said.
According to M. Sinkevičius, defending NATO’s eastern flank is a responsibility shared by all of Europe.
“Defence and security are matters for all of Europe, not just Lithuania or Germany. This project is an excellent example of how we can work together,” he said. “Our responsibility is to provide host nation support to allied forces arriving to help defend our country. (…) Expanding military infrastructure is essential to ensure that our allies have the best possible conditions for training and are fully prepared to repel any aggression.”
According to the Prime Minister, expanding military infrastructure will improve interoperability between the Lithuanian Armed Forces and allied troops, while also strengthening their shared understanding of military operations.
“The strategic defence partnership between Lithuania and Germany is a unique example of two countries standing shoulder to shoulder in defence of our common values, joining forces and taking unprecedented steps towards a safer Europe and a stronger NATO,” M. Sinkevičius said during the visit to Rūdninkai.
What Will the Military Training Area Include?
The first phase of construction at the Rūdninkai military training area is expected to be completed in September, with a number of buildings already finished.
It is the largest military infrastructure project in Lithuania’s history. The base will cover 190 hectares and is being built to enable Lithuania to host the German brigade by the end of 2027.
Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas told Delfi what the first stage of the project has focused on.
“The primary objective of the first phase was to establish all the essential infrastructure: water supply, sewage systems – in other words, everything required for what is effectively a small town. (…) The first phase is primarily focused on accommodation for the soldiers. We inspected the progress of the apartments where the troops will live. German soldiers will have the opportunity to live here on a permanent basis; these will become their homes. They may stay here for ten years, twenty years – essentially for as long as they serve.
However, all of this infrastructure is intended for soldiers who will be living here without their families. Families require more space and access to civilian amenities, which is why they will rent apartments in Kaunas and Vilnius. Schools and kindergartens for German families are also being built and equipped to ensure that all their social needs are met,” the minister explained.
The second phase of construction has already begun. The priority is to complete the most important critical infrastructure, while the remainder of the military training area will continue to be finished after soldiers have already moved in.
“This site will eventually include everything needed for both everyday life and military training. There will be a stadium, a helicopter landing complex to support training and troop movements, as well as infrastructure for tanks, drones, and other military equipment.
Naturally, the area will also be landscaped with trees, lawns, and everything that contributes to a pleasant living environment. We are not planning to build shops ourselves, but I have no doubt that once the military training area becomes operational, private businesses will provide whatever additional services are needed,” R. Kaunas said.
Plans also call for the construction of a new railway branch line to the Rūdninkai military training area by 2028. The standard broad-gauge railway line – compatible with the former Soviet rail network – will be used to transport heavy military equipment, containers, and other supplies, as well as military personnel.
Although the original plan was for most of the German brigade to be relocated to Lithuania by 2026, the timetable has since been revised. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has stated that the brigade is now expected to reach full operational capability in 2027.