The first troops from Germany’s brigade assigned to Lithuania will move into the Rūdninkai military campus this autumn, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said Friday as construction officially began on the project’s second phase.
Kaunas said work on the first phase of the military base is running ahead of schedule and is expected to be completed 10 months earlier than originally planned.
“I want to thank our contractors,” Kaunas said during a ceremony at the construction site. “The first phase will be completed 10 months ahead of schedule, and the first soldiers will move here this autumn. I also thank the contractors responsible for the second phase for a smooth start. I hope we will continue moving forward in the same way.”
He said Lithuania has the expertise, resources and sense of urgency needed to complete the project.
“This demonstrates our strong commitment to national security and to our German allies,” Kaunas said. “Our common goal is to have all priority infrastructure for the German brigade in Lithuania ready by the end of next year.”
