German army sets up first overseas bases since Second World War

Alfons Mais, the German Army’s chief of staff, is greeted by Lithuania’s defence minister – Clemens Bilan/Shutterstock

Two dozen soldiers departed from Berlin on Monday morning to set up the first permanent German army bases on foreign soil since the Second World War.

In a landmark moment in the history of the modern German army, the soldiers flew from the German capital to Vilnius in Lithuania, where they were welcomed by the Baltic country’s defence minister.

Laurynas Kasciunas described the arrival of the soldiers as “a historic decision for both Lithuania and Germany”.

The troops will now build two bases, one outside the capital and one outside the second city, Kaunas. Germany has said the bases will be operational and ready to house 5,000 army personnel by 2027.

German soldiers flying to Lithuania on Monday morning – Clemens Bilan/Shutterstock

“We are sending a clear signal of solidarity with the permanent stationing of this brigade in Lithuania,” said Boris Pistorius, the German defence minister.

“This is an important day for the brigade, for the Germany army, and for Nato,” he added.

The advance deployment is set to increase to more than 100 soldiers by the end of 2024. The bases will include military exercise areas, as well as housing, schools and sports facilities for the soldiers and their families.

German soldiers are stationed in Lithuania on a rotating basis as part of a Nato enhanced forward presence deployment.

Mr Pistorius made the surprise announcement that Berlin would set up a permanent presence last June.

The two dozen German soldiers will eventually become 5,000 – Clemens Bilan/Shutterstock

Ever since Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a Zeitenwende (turning point) in military planning in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Berlin has made moves to modernise its military and strengthen its contribution to Nato’s deterrence capabilities.

Mr Pistorius took over as defence minister 14 months ago, after his predecessor, Christine Lambrecht, came under massive criticism for taking too long to address the holes in the German army’s fighting capabilities.

A member of Mr Scholz’s Social Democrats, Mr Pistorius has promised to make Germany’s armed forces “war ready”, a pledge that has met resistance from pacifists within his own party.

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