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German defense minister confident Lithuania brigade will be ready by 2027 despite volunteer shortage
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Conflict & Security

German defense minister confident Lithuania brigade will be ready by 2027 despite volunteer shortage

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is confident a brigade of 5,000 soldiers in Lithuania will be operational by the end of 2027.
  • The brigade, currently composed of volunteers, faces a shortage of personnel, particularly in IT and logistics.
  • Germany is committed to fulfilling its promise to Lithuania, exploring alternative solutions if voluntary enlistment falls short.

Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed confidence that the "Brigade Lithuania," comprising 5,000 soldiers, will be fully operational by the end of 2027 as planned. However, the brigade currently faces a shortage of personnel, with a significant number of positions filled by volunteers.

By the end of 2027, we will have approximately 5,000 men and women in Lithuania, provided that the infrastructure continues to be expanded as planned and everything continues to move forward.

— Boris PistoriusGerman Defense Minister Boris Pistorius speaking about the readiness of the 'Brigade Lithuania'.

Pistorius acknowledged occasional "bottlenecks," especially for specialists in IT and logistics, noting that the situation mirrors challenges faced domestically. While Germany remains committed to voluntary service and providing optimal conditions for soldiers and their families, the government is considering alternative measures should voluntary enlistment prove insufficient.

Of course, there are occasional bottlenecks, especially regarding experts, for example, in IT and logistics, although not only in that area. It's the same at home.

— Boris PistoriusGerman Defense Minister Boris Pistorius acknowledging personnel shortages.

"We are still betting on voluntary participation and on offering the best possible conditions for family members. Once we have exhausted all available resources, we will begin to study alternative options," Pistorius stated. He indicated that the government has time to assess the situation before considering mandatory service.

We are still betting on voluntary participation and on offering the best possible conditions for family members. Once we have exhausted all available resources, we will begin to study alternative options.

— Boris PistoriusGerman Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on potential alternative measures for staffing the brigade.

General Christian Freuding, responsible for German troops on NATO's eastern flank, emphasized Germany's commitment to its promise to Lithuania, stating that an army relies on more than just volunteers. Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas thanked Germany for its commitment and assured that his country would facilitate the brigade's successful establishment, including the construction of a dedicated military town.

We have promised our partner that we will be there by the end of 2027 and we will keep our promise. Our partners can rely on us.

— General Christian FreudingGeneral Christian Freuding emphasizing Germany's commitment to Lithuania.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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