NATO Enhanced Forward Presence
NATO Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) in Lithuania - the most important of the security assurances that Lithuania was given at the NATO Summit in Warsaw in June 2016 was the collective Alliance's decision to establish an enhanced forward presence to the Baltic states and Poland from 2017. It was aimed to unambiguously demonstrate, as part of our overall posture, Allies' solidarity, determination, and ability to act by triggering an immediate Allied response to any aggression. NATO Heads of State and governments adopted the decision in response to the Russian aggression in Ukraine and the changed geopolitical situation.
Four multinational battlegroups in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, led by the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and the United States respectively, are robust, multinational, and combat ready, demonstrating the strength of the transatlantic bond. Their presence make clear that an attack on one Ally will be considered an attack on the whole Alliance. These forces form part of the biggest reinforcement of NATO's collective defence in a generation.
The NATO enhanced forward presence battalion in Lithuania is led by framework nation Germany and contributing nations.
Over the two years, roughly 8 thousand allied soldiers from nine NATO allies have served in the unit on a rotational basis.
At peacetime the NATO battalion battle group trains together with Lithuanian forces, just like it would defend Lithuania alongside national forces and additionally deployed reinforcement in case of a crisis.
The eFP multinational battalion battle group is based in Rukla. It is assigned to and falls under command of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, and train alongside its soldiers in its military training cycle.
The NATO battalion in Lithuania is comprised of a headquarters and a headquarters company, logistic support company, and three to four combat companies, and different combat support units. Reinforcement to the NATO forward presence battalion will be deployed when necessary, i.e. when exercises are held or in case of threat.
During different intervals of time tens of tanks and armoured tactical vehicles and several hundred of wheeled tactical vehicles will be deployed in Lithuania: Leopard 2 tanks, CV90, M113, Boxer, Fennek, armoured personnel carriers, etc.
The NATO battalion is under NATO command and control. NATO Enhanced Forward Presence personnel rotate every six months, Lithuania provides host nation support to the battalion.
You may follow NATO eFP BG Lithuania news on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/eFPLithuania/
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