The Patriot anti-aircraft missile system is located in the field.

NATO

Bundeswehr uses Patriot and other systems to protect the summit in Lithuania

Date of publication Jul 10, 2023

First paragraph of the articleBundeswehr protects NATO summit

Upon request by NATO, Germany will contribute to protecting the NATO summit in Vilnius this summer. German Patriot systems stationed in Slovakia are deployed in Lithuania for this purpose.

The NATO summit in Vilnius will take place from 11 to 12 July. The Alliance’s heads of state and government will gather in Lithuania’s capital to discuss, among other things, NATO’s new Force Structure. As a rule, the foreign and defence ministers are part of their government’s delegation, since matters of national security policy are concerned.

Military engagement in Lithuania

Germany has close ties with this Baltic country owing to its military engagement, among other things. Since the beginning of 2017, Lithuania has been the host nation for the German-led multinational enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup in Rukla, which secures NATO’s eastern flank. In addition, a forward command post was established in Rukla to prepare exercises as well as the possible deployment of a combat brigade from Germany.

I am pleased that we will be able to make another important contribution to the Alliance in Vilnius. The Bundeswehr will use its various capabilities to provide valuable assistance to the security of the NATO summit. Once more, this proves our flexibility and that we are there to help when we are needed – Germany is a reliable Ally. Together with the other Allies, we are demonstrating internal and external solidarity and cohesion.

Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius

Land-, air- and sea-based support

Upon request by NATO, and in close coordination with Lithuania, Germany will contribute to security at the summit in Vilnius. The Bundeswehr will provide security using land-, air- and sea-based capabilities already stationed on the eastern flank of the Alliance or operating from Germany. To provide ground-based air defence, Patriot systems of the German Air Force were relocated from Slovakia to Lithuania. Support elements for this air defence system are deployed from Poland, where Bundeswehr personnel are currently supporting the protection of the Polish airspace with this system.

The PATRIOT mission in Slovakia was terminated

In order to provide security at the NATO summit in Vilnius, the Patriot mission as part of NATO’s enhanced Vigilance Activities in Slovakia was terminated. German air defence and infantry forces have been participating in securing the eastern flank in Slovakia since March 2022. A Dutch-German Air and Missile Defence Task Force was stationed in Sliač.

Defence Minister Pistorius thanked the Dutch Allies for the strong cooperation and support during this mission. He went on to say: “I am particularly grateful to our close partner Slovakia for the cooperation and warm hospitality extended to our Task Force. The upcoming termination of the Patriot mission in Slovakia gives our field units perspective and a solid basis for planning. Following their tireless and reliable service, our servicemen and servicewomen will be given a much-needed break.”

Security for Slovakia

Pistorius also announced that Slovakia would continue to be supported with a number of projects and a strong troop presence. Slovakia’s security will remain a primary concern for Germany in the future. The Bundeswehr will continue to do its part and closely support Slovakia as its Ally, whether as part of the ongoing backfilling arrangement with 15 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks, participation in the multinational Battlegroup (which will soon include MBTs as well), the delivery of MANTIS weapon systems (Modular, Automatic and Network capable Targeting and Interception System) or with additional air surveillance radars. Training has already commenced in Germany. The German Air Force has also offered to support Slovakia’s air defence with Air Policing.