Фото: Бундесвер
The Freedom Shield 2026 exercise has begun at the Pabradė training area in Lithuania, located 15 km from the border with Belarus. The exercise is being conducted by a German brigade.
According to the Bundeswehr, the exercise involves tanks, drones and electronic warfare systems. The 45th Armoured Brigade, which is intended to be deployed on NATO’s eastern flank, is applying lessons learned from the war in Ukraine.
Around 2,900 military personnel are taking part in the exercise, including 2,300 from Germany, along with 800 pieces of military equipment from eight NATO countries.
The brigade formed for permanent deployment in Lithuania is training in the country for the first time as part of these exercises ahead of its planned deployment there next year, dpa reported.