Minister Yuriko Backes visited Luxembourg military personnel participating in NATO Forward Land Forces in Lithuania

The Luxembourg Army is currently participating with seven soldiers in this advanced NATO multinational Battlegroup under German command. Six soldiers from the Luxembourg contingent are participating in a multinational material transport unit. A CIS (information and communication systems) officer assumes the role of CIS deputy within the Battlegroup staff .

The Luxembourg Army also provides a so-called Reachback satellite link capability between the area of ​​operation and the headquarters. A team of specialized soldiers is ready to deploy if necessary.

In November 2023, this Luxembourg participation was extended until 31 December 2025, reaffirming the commitment, solidarity and contribution of Luxembourg Defence to collective deterrence and defence efforts.

This multinational Battlegroup, called enhanced Forward Presence Lithuania, is part of the NATO system decided in 2016 and set up in 2017 on the eastern flank of the Euro-Atlantic area, in the three Baltic countries and in Poland, in response to the Russian annexation of Crimea. In 2022, following the outbreak of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the establishment of four additional advanced tactical Battlegroups was decided: Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. The Luxembourg Army also participates in the NATO multinational Battlegroup in Romania, under French command.

During her visit, Yuriko Backes also had meetings with the outgoing Minister of Defence, Laurynas Kasčiūnas, and Dovilė Šakalienė, the future Minister of Defence. During the meeting with the latter, Minister Backes stressed the importance of Euro-Atlantic solidarity and assured her of the continuity of Luxembourg's military commitment in Lithuania as part of NATO's Forward Land Forces .

Communicated by the Defence Directorate