New Portuguese marine rotation begins service at Kairiai training ground

A formal ceremony on Tuesday marked the start of a new Portuguese naval infantry rotation at the General Povilas Plechavičius training ground in Kairiai, western Lithuania, the Lithuanian Armed Forces announced.

The flag-raising event symbolised the arrival of the ninth Portuguese military rotation in Lithuania, with the country’s marines set to serve until November under the coordination of the Lithuanian Naval Force. Previous rotations had been overseen by the Grand Duke Jonušas Radvila Training Regiment of the Lithuanian Army’s Mechanised Infantry Brigade “Žemaitija”.

Lithuanian Naval Force Commander Tadas Jablonskis addressed the contingent, stating that Portuguese deployments and joint exercises over recent years had “significantly contributed to strengthening the capabilities of Lithuania’s naval forces.” Portugal’s Marine Corps Commander Filipe da Rocha Rei thanked Lithuanian counterparts for their professional support and noted that annual rotations in Lithuania allow Portuguese troops to refine combat skills in varied climatic and geographic conditions.

“The goal of this rotation is to enhance allied interoperability, improve troop readiness, and conduct joint military training with Lithuanian units,” the Lithuanian military stated. The deployed marines will participate in collective exercises as part of NATO’s deterrence measures to bolster regional security.

Portugal has contributed to NATO’s Assurance Measures programme since 2015, which includes rotational troop deployments and exercises in Eastern flank countries following Russia’s annexation of Crimea. In addition to ground rotations, Portugal regularly participates in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission.