Germany's Lithuania brigade to trial kamikaze drones this month

The German army unit stationed in Lithuania will test kamikaze drones for the first time during its Freedom Shield manoeuvres in the Baltic republic this month, a spokesman for the Bundeswehr's 45th Armoured Brigade said on Friday.

In addition to various types of drones, the combat formation will also deploy new loitering munition systems for the first time during its largest combat exercise to date on NATO's eastern flank, the spokesman said.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius recently announced plans to establish a drone regiment that will be assigned to the brigade, which is scheduled to receive loitering munitions from next year onwards and will now test them for the first time.

Around 3,800 soldiers from eight NATO countries are expected to assemble in Lithuania for Freedom Shield from November 17.

During the 10-day exercise they pan to practise crossing the Nemunas river south of Kaunas and conducting combined-arms operations, incorporating drones and electronic warfare, at the Rūdninkai military training area in the south of the country near the Suwałki Gap, seen as a key weak point on NATO's eastern flank.

"Exercise Freedom Shield represents another milestone on the path towards a fully equipped, operationally ready and therefore combat-capable Lithuania Brigade," Major General Christoph Huber, commander of the 45th Armoured Brigade, said.

The 45th Armoured Brigade is expected to reach full operational capability as a combat formation by 2027, with a total strength of 4,800 soldiers and 200 civilian employees.

So far, approximately 2,000 members of the formation are stationed in Lithuania. The brigade also includes the 203rd Tank Battalion.

At the same time as Freedom Shield, Germany's 37th Armoured Infantry Brigade, which is assigned to NATO as a high-readiness force, will also deploy to Lithuania for the Grand Eagle combat exercise.

Approximately 6,000 Bundeswehr personnel are therefore expected to join simultaneous exercises in the Baltic region.