Germany fails to fill crucial brigade on Russia border
Recruitment for the 45th Armored Brigade in the Baltics (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Germany has failed to recruit enough volunteers for the 45th Armored Brigade of the Bundeswehr, which is planned to be stationed in Lithuania, according to the German outlet RND.
The brigade is scheduled to deploy by 2027, with more than 4,800 military personnel and 200 civilian staff. Germany initially planned to provide 1,971 soldiers for the first phase, but only 209 agreed to serve - about 10% of the required number.
The publication notes that this shortfall casts doubt on the brigade's ability to deploy on schedule. Moreover, soldiers may soon be assigned to the brigade on a compulsory basis rather than voluntarily.
At the same time, Germany’s Ministry of Defense said that the brigade’s formation is reportedly on schedule. Personnel are expected to be motivated with higher salaries, improved housing, and employment opportunities for their families. Officials are also considering reducing the minimum service term for Bundeswehr soldiers in Lithuania to one year.
Meanwhile, the defense ministries of Ukraine and Germany signed an agreement under which Ukrainian instructors will teach at German military academies. This initiative allows the Bundeswehr to gain firsthand experience of modern warfare from the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The move follows the Ukrainian military’s performance during the Hedgehog exercises in Estonia, where they reportedly overwhelmed NATO troops. According to Ukrainian officials, the results of the exercises surprised Western partners.
A Ukrainian team of ten soldiers, acting as the opposing force, simulated the destruction of 17 armored vehicles and carried out roughly 30 strikes on other targets in just half a day. The exercises took place in May 2025, but the results were only recently made public.
Restoring the Bundeswehr’s combat readiness is a priority for Berlin, as Germany believes there are only two to three years before a potential Russian attack on NATO countries. The country would be at the center of events as one of the Alliance’s key members.
