Germany’s permanent deployment of the 45th Armoured Brigade in Lithuania: Strategic, operational, and industrial implications

As part of NATO’s eastern-flank build-up, Germany has agreed to station its 45th Armoured Brigade (Panzerbrigade 45, “Litauen”) permanently in Lithuania. This heavy brigade (about 4,800 soldiers plus ~200 civilian staff) was formally activated in May 2025 in Vilnius and will reach full operational capability by 2027. Germany’s decision—unprecedented sin…