Germany is forming a new tank brigade in Lithuania and rapidly moving troops and equipment into the country, according to the German newspaper Bild.

The report says the unit will be the 45th Tank Brigade, with its headquarters already based in Vilnius. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius made the decision to deploy around 5,000 German troops to NATO’s eastern flank. The formation is commanded by Brigadier General Christoph Huber, 50.

Bild reports that the Bundeswehr is using almost all available resources to stand up the new brigade. The unit is expected to reach full combat readiness by 2027. According to the newspaper, Huber has said the brigade is prepared to defend NATO’s eastern flank and meet Germany’s allied commitments.

Germany is accelerating the transfer of personnel and equipment to Lithuania, including resources that were not originally intended for redeployment. Berlin plans to deliver on its promise to create a combat-ready brigade by the end of 2027, despite mounting difficulties.

Among the main challenges, Bild points to delays in weapons deliveries, including Skyranger air defense systems. As a result, the brigade could remain vulnerable to drones. To cover the gap temporarily, the newspaper says alternative measures are being considered, including the use of small arms against unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Bundeswehr is also facing a shortage of personnel. Recruitment, especially for junior positions, is moving more slowly than planned. To encourage service members to relocate to Lithuania, German authorities are offering financial payments and tax breaks.

Lithuania already hosts a multinational NATO battlegroup under German command. At the same time, the country is building infrastructure to accommodate additional forces, including in areas located near the border with Belarus.

Russia has repeatedly pointed in recent years to what it describes as unprecedented NATO activity near its western borders. Moscow says the alliance is expanding its military presence under the pretext of deterring Russian aggression. The Russian Foreign Ministry has said Russia is ready for dialogue with NATO on an equal basis, but argues that the West should abandon its course toward the militarization of Europe.