The Defence Ministry has confirmed that soldiers who are part of the Lithuanian Brigade are now also expected to be mandatorily deployed to the NATO Eastern Flank. While the ministry continues to prioritize voluntary recruitment, it announced on Monday that supplementary mandatory measures would immediately be introduced for several specialized areas. This strategic shift aims to secure the necessary personnel over the course of a year leading up to the brigade’s full operational readiness.
Previously, the Ministry had stated that nearly 80 percent of the positions in the Lithuanian Brigade had been filled exclusively by volunteers, maintaining that the principle of voluntary service remained the foundational policy. However, according to a statement from Minister Boris Pistorius, “operational readiness will take precedence over volunteer status in case of doubt.”
Looking ahead, the total contingent for the combat brigade in Lithuania is planned to include 5,000 Bundeswehr personnel, consisting of 4,800 soldiers and 200 civilian employees.
