Today Lithuania and Germany partner to strengthen the new security architecture in Europe, says R. Kaunas

Republic of Lithuania – Ministry of National Defence

2026-01-27

German brigade in Lithuania | International cooperation | Security and defense policy

Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas is conducting a visit to Berlin where he has met with minister of Defence of Germany Boris Pistorius. Ministers have discussed the bilateral defence cooperation between Lithuania and Germany, defence procurement and industrial cooperation, regional security situation, assistance to Ukraine, and infrastructure development for the German Brigade Lithuania.

“Today Lithuania and Germany partner to strengthen the new security infrastructure in Europe. We must keep going deepening our cooperation further. Germany’s leadership in defence of the eastern flank of NATO is invaluable. The Government, business and public of Lithuania understand well the importance of stationing of the German Brigade in Lithuania,” Minister R. Kaunas underscored.

Lithuania and Germany are strategic partners who have taken the security and defence partnership to a new level in the recent years to reflect the growing security challenges in the region. Deployment of the German Brigade in Lithuania is the centerpiece of the cooperation and Lithuania views the stationing and corresponding host National Support as one of the key priorities.

Among the topics discussed at the meeting Ministers addressed opportunities for expanded and deepened bilateral defence cooperation leading to a deeper integration. Minister R. Kaunas underscored the impressive potential of cooperation on shortage of limited or critical resources through mutual development and integration in order to ensure efficient response to the growing threat of Russia. Lithuania aims to enhance cooperation on air defence, cyber defence, UAV and systems, special operations forces and maritime surveillance, to achieve a force capable of operation as one team.

Security and defence were once again mentioned to reiterate it was Lithuania’s key priority. As of this year, Lithuania commits 5.38% of GDP to defence, that amounts to EUR 4.8 billion which is a historically biggest defence budget of Lithuania. Defence spending is planned to range between 5-6% of GDP at least until 2030.

Development of the national Lithuanian Division remains among top priorities as key contribution to the NATO collective defence, alongside the stationing the German Brigade in Lithuania and providing all the necessary infrastructure for that. Also, Lithuania has recently passed a decision to develop a new Brigade-sized military area in the vicinity of the Suwalki Gap.

The Lithuanian side assured Federal Minister B. Pistorius of Lithuania’s strong commitment to supply the necessary infrastructure the German Brigade required. The works are in full swing: Rūdninkai Military Campus is developed according to the schedule, the first phase is actually ahead even. Contracts of the second phase were signed on January 15. Priority infrastructure and interim solutions required for the Brigade stationing will be in place by late 2027.

Both countries also collaborate actively in the area of defence. The Ministry of National Defence signed a memorandum on industrial cooperation on creation of assembly and maintenance infrastructure of the Leopard 2 A8main battle tanks in Lithuania with the international partners KNDS Deutschland, Rheinmetall Landsysteme and the state-owned energy group EPSO-G. 25.1% of shares of Lithuania Defense Services (LDS), controlled by KNDS Deutschland and Rheinmetall Landsysteme are planned to be owned by EPSO-G Invest.

At the bilateral meeting, Ministers also discussed assistance to Ukraine and the commitments to continue it. Lithuania made a commitment to transfer EUR 30 million to the Patriot Initiative and pledged EUR 25 million for the PURL fund, including finance for air defence capabilities. Lithuania renders long-term assistance to Ukraine in the form of at least 0.25% of GDP spending.

The significant German contribution to the Lithuanian and Icelandic co-led Capability Coalition for Demining was praised. The Coalition achieved good results in 2024-2025 in training and equipping eight Ukrainian EOD battalions.