Germany is ready to boost its military mission in Lithuania in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said during a visit to Vilnius.
"We will defend every centimetre of NATO's territory. We are ready to strengthen our engagement and to develop it towards a robust combat brigade," Scholz told reporters after meeting with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and the prime ministers of Latvia and Estonia.
German government sources said Berlin would earmark one combat-ready brigade with some 3,000 troops that could be deployed quickly to defend Lithuania if necessary.
The brigade will consist of at least three battalions and have additional capabilities - a staff liaison company, additional intelligence, engineering, logistical capabilities, as well as electronic combat capabilities - covering the full range of ground forces.
This could be followed by expanding the multinational German-led NATO combat unit in Lithuania to the size of a brigade in the longer term.
Nevertheless, the likelihood of the implementation of German plans to expand its presence in Lithuania looks elusive. The German army - the Bundeswehr - itself has severe shortcomings in equipment after decades of attrition following the end of the Cold War. At present, the Bundeswehr has not a single constantly combat-ready brigade to defend German territory.