Chief of Defence of Lithuania Gen Valdemaras Rupšys and Commander of the 1st Armoured Division Maj Gen Heico Hübner conferred Medals for Mutual Support on servicemembers of the first rotation of the Bundeswehr enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA) Brigade. The outgoing 41st Armored Infantry eVA Brigade is replaced by the 21st Armored eVA Brigade.
“It took only a few months until Commander Brig Gen Christiano Nawrato and his troops with combat assets were in Lithuania after Germany took the decision to assign an enhanced Vigilance Activity Brigade to Lithuania in the summer of 2022. A few more months later the Brigade already had reached Full Operational Capacity to be effective in the territory of Lithuania with our and Allied troops. It is a vitally important signal of solidarity and an example of German and NATO unity materialized in concrete actions and deeds,” said Chief of Defence Gen V. Rupšys thanking the troops.
The incoming eVA Brigade, the 21st Armored Brigade of the Bundeswehr, led by Commander Col Marco Eggert will take the baton of deterrence and defence tasks in Lithuania from the 41st Armored Infantry Brigade Forward Command Element. The approx. 4000-strong brigade is one of the rapid response units of the German Armed Forces.
The Forward Command Element of the 41st Brigade was deployed to Rukla last year to execute exercise planning in line with combat readiness plans. It attended exercises carried out by the Lithuanian Armed Forces, trained side by side with Lithuanian and Allied troops. Units of the 413th Battalion of the Brigade organized bilateral tactical and live-fire exercises Fast Griffin and Griffin Lightning, the 411th Battalion trained redeployment of approx. 1000 troops and 320 pieces of military equipment from the home base to Lithuania via land, sea and air routes at Exercise Griffin Storm. .
Germany is a critical contributor to the deterrence in the region by leading the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group established at Rukla in 2017, by investing in Lithuania’s military infrastructure and contributing to the Armed Forces modernization efforts. Assignment of the eVA Brigade to Lithuania has significantly improved the ability of the German Armed Forces and NATO to ensure security of the eastern and flank of the Alliance, including of Lithuania.
Photo credits: SSgt Virginijus Stonys
