Lithuania to receive hundreds of German rotational forces

More than 600 rotational troops and several hundred military vehicles of German forces are to be deployed in Lithuania throughout this year, announced the Lithuanian Defense Ministry on Wednesday.

German rotational forces will be deployed in Lithuania under the agreed NATO assurance measures in the Baltic region, according to the announcement from the ministry.

The first group of nearly 300 German troops is to arrive in Lithuania in the first week of April. Germans will also deploy nearly 150 multi-purpose military vehicles, said the ministry. The deployed machinery will include infantry fighting vehicles the Boxer.

Recently, Lithuania has decided to strengthen its armed forces by purchasing 88 of these armored vehicles in what is called to be the largest purchase of the country's army history.

"German soldiers will join Lithuanian counterparts in national and multinational exercises held in our country," said the Defense Ministry in an announcement.

"Along with them soldiers from Denmark, the United States, Poland and Luxembourg will participate in the exercises," announced the ministry.

NATO supreme allied commander general Philip Breedlove noted on Tuesday,during his visit to Lithuania, that the alliance needs to be ready for the air defense mission in the Baltic nations. Currently, the alliance has been conducting air policing mission.

Lithuania has stepped up its defense capabilities since 2014 amid tensions in the Eastern Europe. Endit