Germany Deploys Permanent Troops Abroad for First Time Since World War II

International Desk

In a historic shift in German defense policy Chancellor Friedrich Merz inaugurated a permanent German military brigade in Lithuania on Thursday This marks Germany’s first long-term foreign military deployment since World War II

The move aims to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank amid ongoing tensions with Russia In a joint statement with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda Merz said “The security of our Baltic allies is our own security”

Nausėda stated “This is a historic commitment It symbolizes our mutual trust and responsibility”

Strengthening NATO’s Presence in Eastern Europe

Since 2017 Germany has been rotating troops in Lithuania However the newly inaugurated 45th Armored Brigade will deploy around 5000 permanent soldiers in the Rukla and Rudninkai regions by 2027 An advance team of 250 members has already begun operations

Despite rainy weather the ceremony concluded with a military parade and helicopter flyover in Vilnius’s central Cathedral Square Merz said “Protecting Vilnius means protecting Berlin”

This deployment is seen as part of NATO’s broader defense reinforcement following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine

Germany Increasing Military Budget

Alongside the permanent troop deployment Germany is committed to strengthening its own armed forces the Bundeswehr Merz stated that Germany will continue increasing defense spending and meet NATO’s 2% GDP spending target

“Our message is clear—we are ready to invest in our security and committed to responding to any aggression together with our allies” he said

In 2022 Germany announced a €100 billion special fund to meet NATO’s set targets However this fund is expected to be depleted by 2027 The new German government has passed a proposal in parliament to relax borrowing rules allowing further increases in defense budgets in the future

Former soldier Merz recently told parliament “The government will ensure the Bundeswehr becomes Europe’s most powerful conventional army”

Baltic Nations Raising Defense Spending

Lithuania which borders Russia and Belarus has announced it will increase its defense spending from 5% to 6% of GDP starting next year—the highest commitment within NATO

NATO plans to raise defense budgets to 3.5% of GDP by 2032 with an additional proposal to spend 1.5% on infrastructure development and similar sectors Merz called these goals “realistic and achievable”

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated plans to increase the budget by 0.2% annually over the next five to seven years

Shortly after assuming office Chancellor Merz began diplomatic efforts to push for a ceasefire in Ukraine

He said “We stand with Ukraine while also working united as Europe and jointly with the US whenever possible”