The commander of the 45th Panzer Brigade of the Bundeswehr, currently stationed in Lithuania, Brigadier General Christoph Huber, has reaffirmed the ambitious goal of transforming the deployed troops into a fully operational brigade within the next two years.
In statements to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, Huber emphasized the brigade’s objective: to be combat-ready and deployable by the end of 2027, contributing to the deterrence of conflict. He articulated a message of resolve, stating, “We want to send a signal: To this point and no further. Here is the line. Here stands NATO, the strongest defense alliance in history. And that’s not something to be trifled with. I believe that’s the important message we need to send.
To ensure the 45th Brigade’s preparedness, Huber underscored the importance of realistic and “close-to-combat” training exercises. This includes incorporating elements such as casualty management, encompassing both physical recovery and the provision of crucial peer and comrade support. He stressed the necessity of a functioning rescue chain, highlighting the need for soldiers to be able to rely on one another under duress, which he believes is fundamental to their ability to engage effectively.
A key challenge, according to Huber, lies in anticipating the nature of future conflicts. He emphasized the need for the military to focus on preparation for “the war of the future” not simply relying on past experiences or the current battlefield, but proactively adapting to emerging threats.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is providing valuable insights, with the Bundeswehr closely analyzing the experiences of Ukrainian soldiers and drawing lessons for its own training and equipment strategies. Huber affirmed the continuing importance of armored formations, while also acknowledging the increasing need for modern systems, including attack drones, reconnaissance drones and drone defense capabilities.
The deployment in Lithuania remains a top priority for the Bundeswehr, with assurances that the brigade will receive all necessary resources to fulfill its mission. The promise includes equipping the brigade with state-of-the-art weaponry, encompassing vehicles such as the Leopard 2A8 tank, the Puma S1 armored infantry fighting vehicle, the Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzer and “Loitering Munition” – a type of precision-guided missile. This commitment aims to ensure the brigade is both formidable and combat-ready.
