Lithuania and Germany sign strategic defence declaration

Lithuania and Germany have agreed to expand defence cooperation, LRT reported on Wednesday, citing the Ministry of National Defence. At the Berlin Security Conference, Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius signed a declaration on strategic defence cooperation.

The ministry said the declaration marks a new stage in the countries’ strategic partnership and sets long-term priorities for cooperation. Kaunas called it a “historic agreement” and said the German brigade would remain central to the partnership, alongside more joint exercises, faster military mobility procedures and additional capabilities in Lithuania. He said air defence and protection against drones were among the main priorities.

The two countries plan to develop defence capabilities and strengthen cooperation between their defence industries. They will seek compatible or interchangeable solutions for future procurements and explore opportunities to use European Union funding. The ministry also said they would conduct joint experiments to help integrate new technologies and work more closely on logistics, military mobility and medical support.

The declaration also provides for closer cooperation between Germany’s territorial defence forces, Lithuania’s National Defence Volunteer Forces and the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, as well as regular exchanges of experience and knowledge. Other areas include military intelligence, electronic warfare, military and dual-use infrastructure, space security and defence, responses to cyber and hybrid threats, strategic communications and information attacks.

The political priorities set out in the declaration will be implemented through a separate action plan. Germany has pledged to deploy a brigade of about 5,000 troops in Lithuania by the end of 2027. Lithuania has promised to build the necessary infrastructure by then.