The new 170-hectare campus, to be constructed by Eikos Statyba under a 125-million-euro contract, is set to become one of Lithuania’s most significant military projects since regaining independence. The facility will include 120 buildings, helipads, training fields, and over 10 kilometers of internal roads, offering a modern infrastructure for the stationed troops.
General Vaikšnoras emphasized the historic nature of the project, stating, “Today is a historic day, a historic moment when one of the biggest projects in the history of post-independence Lithuania will be implemented over the next several years.”
The deployment of the German brigade, which will see over 4,000 soldiers stationed in Lithuania, represents a shift in NATO’s strategic posture, moving towards “deterrence by denial,” according to Defence Minister Kasčiūnas. This new campus will be geographically close to Lithuania’s borders, enhancing the rapid response capabilities of NATO forces in the region.
Prime Minister Šimonytė highlighted the significance of this deployment, noting that it serves as a strong deterrent and provides greater security for Lithuanian citizens. “Our aim is not to threaten or intimidate… but we are confident that if necessary, we will not lack the will or the strength to make anyone who wants to test our strength regret their decision,” she said.
Nils Hilmer, State Secretary at Germany’s Federal Ministry of Defence, called the deployment “one of the biggest projects undertaken by the German army,” bringing the German military’s strategic shift, known as “Zeitenwende,” into action.
