DefenceTalkThe first group of German and Belgian troops arrived in Lithuania on Tuesday, part of a NATO move to reinforce its eastern flank in a bid to deter a militarily resurgent Russia. A group of German officers landed in the Baltic state’s capital Vilnius to coordinate the deployment of a 1,200-strong battalion that will include […]https://www.defencetalk.com/germans-belgians-land-in-lithuania-for-nato-deployment-68897/

DefenceTalkLithuania said Monday it is in talks to buy Norwegian anti-aircraft missile systems to address the defence gap on NATO’s eastern flank, amid concerns over Russia. The NASAMS medium-range air defence systems, which would be the first such shield in the Baltic states, would cost around 100 million euros ($115 million), defence ministry spokesman Vaidotas […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lithuania-eyes-norway-air-defence-deal-amid-russia-fears-68224/

DefenceTalkThe European Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) and the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence have commissioned ARTEC GmbH to supply 88 high-protection BOXER vehicles to the Lithuanian army starting in 2017. ARTEC, a joint venture between Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall, will deliver the vehicles with medium-calibre weaponry in a remote-controlled turret. Consequently, the BOXER […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lithuania-boosts-army-with-88-boxer-vehicles-68030/

DefenceTalkMore than 1200 Soldiers from Canada, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and the United States participated in Exercise Hunter, May 9-19, at General Silvestras Zukauskas Training Area in Pabrade, Lithuania. The exercise allowed commanders the opportunity to integrate allied troops into their units to complete joint tasks and various defensive operations. While integrated, allied Soldiers were […]https://www.defencetalk.com/allies-test-anti-tank-capabilities-in-lithuania-67496/

DefenceTalkChancellor Angela Merkel said Friday that Germany was considering sending troops to Lithuania as part of a NATO mission to reinforce the alliance’s eastern flank with Russia. However Merkel stressed that any deployment should aim to avoid inflaming tensions with Moscow. “We are currently reviewing how we can continue our engagement and perhaps even bolster […]https://www.defencetalk.com/merkel-says-germany-ready-to-reinforce-nato-eastern-flank-67374/

DefenceTalkTwo American stealth F-22 fighter jets landed in Lithuania on Wednesday in an apparent show of force, after tensions with Moscow flared this month when a Russian aircraft buzzed an American warship in the Baltic Sea. The US air force’s most advanced planes landed at the Siauliai air base which currently also hosts Spanish jets […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-f-22-fighter-jets-land-in-lithuania-amid-russia-tensions-67351/

DefenceTalkLithuania, Poland and Ukraine on Monday said a joint brigade of 4,000 troops would be operational next year, as the region maintains a wary eye on Russia and its role in the Ukraine conflict. “The multinational brigade is a sign, symbol and very clear signal to anyone who would want to undermine peace in Europe,” […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lithuania-poland-ukraine-to-launch-joint-brigade-in-2017-66555/

DefenceTalkLithuania said Friday it would buy 88 German-made armored fighting vehicles in its biggest-ever military purchase amid concerns over neighboring Russia. “We have come to the unequivocal opinion to choose and acquire the Boxer infantry fighting vehicles,” said Lithuania’s defence chief Jonas Vytautas Zukas. Speaking after a meeting of the State Defence Council, he said […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lithuania-to-buy-88-german-vehicles-in-record-arms-deal-66070/

DefenceTalkOn September 29 a contract on procuring PzH2000 self-propelled howitzers from the German Armed Forces will be signed at the Ministry of National Defence. The contract will be endorsed by MoD Director General for Capabilities and Armaments Colonel Darius Užkuraitis and Head of Armament Department of the Federal Ministry of Defence Wilfried Georg. Commander of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lithuania-to-procure-pzh2000-self-propelled-howitzers-from-germany-65508/

DefenceTalkVilnius: NATO has vowed to hold “continuous” military exercises in eastern Europe to deter Russia but has yet to respond to a request by Baltic states for a permanent brigade, Lithuania said Wednesday. In May, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia formally asked NATO’s top commander to deploy a “permanent rotational” battalion-sized unit in each country amid […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-keeps-mum-on-baltic-brigade-request-lithuania-64778/