German armoured brigade performs its first combat exercise in Lithuania

Pabrade (dpa) – The new German armoured brigade in Lithuania completed its first combat exercise in the Baltic Nato state. The commander, Brigade General Christoph Huber, said at the Pabrade military training area that he believes this exercise to represent a relevant step towards military prowess. “We obviously learn from what we see in Ukraine.”

The main phase of the combat exercise started on Wednesday. The Bundeswehr is using over 300 drones in the exercise. “Freedom Shield 2026” is the first combat exercise in Lithuania performed by the armoured brigade that officially took up its activities last year.

Around 2,900 soldiers – about 2,300 of which are from Germany – and some 800 vehicles from eight Nato states were brought to the military training area for the exercise. The training ground is located about 15 kilometres from the border to Belarus.

Germany established the brigade in response to the growing threat posed by Russia. Planning provides for the brigade with a total of 4,800 soldiers and 200 civilian personnel to be fully ready for deployment by 2027. Lithuania shares borders with Russia’s ally Belarus and the enclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic coast.