Germany deploys permanent troops in another country, the first time since the Second World War

The Armed Forces of Germany, the Bundeswehr, announced on Tuesday that it had created a new brigade, the 45th armored brigade, to be parked in Lithuania.

It will be the first long -term deployment of German soldiers in another country since the Second World War, according to the Associated Press.

Brigadier General Christoph Huber, commander of the 45th armored brigade, said that with his creation: “We are not only heading for operational preparation, we take responsibility.”

“For the Alliance, for Lithuania, for the security of Europe,” he said. “As a sign of our determination to defend peace and freedom with our partners.”

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia sparked an increase in defense agreements and spending among European countries.

When plans were made for the 45th shielded brigade in 2023, Germany described it as part of the growing efforts of NATO members to increase their own safety and the safety of the oriental borders of NATO.

The German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, previously said: “With this brigade lend to war, we assume responsibility for management on the eastern side of NATO.”

The new brigade is made up of several battalions and will have around 5,000 soldiers and civilian staff, said the Bundeswehr this week.

He added that the brigade command installation was already fully operational and that the objective was to have it healthy by 2027.

Lithuania – which borders the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad and the Russian ally close to Bélarus – is one of the countries that has sounded the strongest alarm that Russia can exceed Ukraine to attack elsewhere in Europe.

It is also one of NATO’s largest defense expenses by the proportion of GDP, and one of the greatest allies in Ukraine, describing Ukrainian troops like those that protect all of Europe.

There are already NATO troops in Lithuania, on a rotating basis, with a multinational tactory group led by Germany. NATO countries have also deployed assets such as fighter planes and aerial defenses.

American troops are among the people stationed in Lithuania, although their long -term future is less clear, President Donald Trump criticizes American allies, NATO and assistance to Ukraine.

Dovilė Šakalienė, Minister of Defense of Lithuania, told Business Insider in February that his country wanted the American troops to remain and that it expected that the United States could see “eye” with countries that pay its role in defense.

“We are doing our part,” she said, adding that it expects the United States to also do its share.

Lithuania has also strengthened its border with Russia.

The new German brigade is the last in a series of measures introduced by the country since the large -scale invasion of Ukraine in Russia in February 2022.

He spent about 1.51% of his GDP for defense in 2022, which increased to around 2.12% in 2024, according to NATO estimates.

The increase in defense purchases by Germany, and Europe more broadly, was a boon for the continent’s defense industries.

German Arms manufacturer Rheinmetall said in March that it expects sales this year to increase by 25% to 30%.

Germany’s defense expenses have increased less than some of its allies: he ranked 15th in 31 NATO members for defense expenses in proportion to GDP in 2024, according to NATO estimates.

But he promised to do more.

After having fought with his inheritances of the First World War and the Second World War, which led to avoiding strong militarism, Germany embarked on major military movements.

The legislators voted this month to modify the German Constitution in a way that would unlock billions of dollars that could be used for defense expenses.

Šakalienė, the Minister of Defense of Lithuania, told BI in February that Europe “had to increase our unpleasant spending very quickly and very considerably”.

She said Europe must be able to match the United States and correspond to Russia, which increases its own defense production: “We have to catch up with Russia,” she said.