On May 29 Exercise Grand Quadriga 2024, a large-scale joint training event of the Bundeswehr, Lithuania, Netherlands and the Franco-German Brigade concluded.
“Exercise Grand Quadriga 2024 is an exceptional event for both, Lithuania and Germany. This is the first time since the end of the Cold War that Germany has run such a large-scale, division-level, deployment into NATO’s eastern flank, including Lithuania, operation. It is part of the regional NATO defence plans approved in the Vilnius Summit last summer which tests alert times and rapid deployment of dedicated capabilities to a concrete area of operations in realistic conditions,” said Gen V. Rupšys noting Germany’s commitment to Lithuania.
The exercise focused on moving two divisions from Central Europe to Eastern and over 3 thousand German troops and 200 tactical vehicles deployed to Lithuania via land, railway, sea a d air for nearly a month.
Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas presented National Defence System-level medals to Chief of Staff (COS) of the NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Admiral Joachim Rühle, Chief of Defence of Belgium Admiral Michael Hofman and Commander of the eVA 21st Armored Brigade of the Bundeswehr Brig Gen Marco Eggert at the ceremony. “We are deeply grateful to Germany for your strong leadership and significant contribution in taking responsibility for strengthening security of the Baltic region, especially Lithuania. Exercise Grand Quadriga 2024 is yet another proof that NATO plans are not just on paper. This exercise showcases a serious readiness to defend our citizens and persistent efforts to hone cooperation and rapid response,” said Minister of National Defence L. Kasčiūnas thanking the troops.
Under the overall command of the 10th Panzer Division of the German Armed Forces, the Lithuanian Iron Wolf Infantry Brigade trained at Grand Quadriga 2024 with the German 12th Tank Brigade, 37th Panzergrenadier Brigade, 13th Light Brigade of the Netherlands and the Franco-German Brigade. The Bundeswehr had the Leopard 2 tanks, Puma infantry fighting vehicles, PzH 2000 self-propelled artillery systems, Tiger Eurocopters for the entire exercise period.
International exercises Saber Strike, Immediate Response, Astral Knight and Grand Quadriga that ran in Lithuania for the past several months were part of the NATO Exercise Steadfast Defender 24 which included the total of over 90 thousand Allied military personnel from the 32 Allies.
Closure of Exercise Grand Quadriga 2024 will be followed by intense movement of military transport by land roads, air and sea and rail back to their bases, outsize wheeled and armored vehicles will be escorted by MP.
Photo credit: SSgt Spc Ieva Budzeikaitė.
