Portuguese marines begin new rotation at Lithuania’s Kairiai training ground

A new rotation of Portuguese marines has officially begun service at Lithuania’s Kairiai training ground, the Lithuanian Armed Forces announced on Monday.

The formal ceremony, including a parade and flag-raising, took place at the General Povilas Plechavičius training range in Kairiai, marking the start of the ninth Portuguese deployment to Lithuania, according to the BNS news agency.

The Portuguese Naval Infantry unit will operate under the coordination of the Lithuanian Naval Forces for the duration of their rotation. Previously, this responsibility was held by Lithuania’s Grand Duke Jonušas Radvila Pėstininkų (Infantry) Brigade “Žemaitija”.

Lithuanian military officials stated that the rotation aims to “strengthen allied interoperability, enhance troop readiness, and conduct joint military training with Lithuanian Armed Forces units.” The deployed troops will participate in collective exercises as part of NATO’s deterrence measures to reinforce regional security.

Portugal has contributed to NATO’s Assurance Measures program since 2015, supporting security in the Baltic states. Launched after Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, the program includes allied force deployments and exercises along NATO’s eastern flank. In addition to rotational deployments, Portugal regularly participates in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission.