The German Armed Forces will begin in early November 2026 in Lithuania with two large-scale combat exercises. According to the Press and Information Centre of the Army are taking place Freedom Shield 26-II and Grand Eagle 26 in parallel and are scheduled to run until the end of November. The 10th Armoured Division is in command. According to the German armed forces, around 6,000 service personnel from Germany and partner countries are taking part.
The focus is on building up the so-called Lithuania Brigade. The 45th Armoured Brigade and other combat and support units will use the exercises to train command procedures, resupply, medical support, engineer capabilities and protection against unmanned aircraft under realistic conditions. The Army says that training scenarios and procedures are shaped by lessons from the fighting in Ukraine and by the requirements of modern national and collective defence.
The German government has reaffirmed its goal of gradually making a German brigade operational by the end of 2027 and permanently stationing it in Lithuania. The exercises now getting under way are considered the next milestone towards that goal: they will test cooperation at brigade level, the deployment of larger forces and supply over longer distances. The German armed forces also stress interoperability within the NATOframework – including joint command procedures, coordinated communications equipment and standardised practices with partners.
Observers and critics also point to ongoing strains on personnel, equipment and logistics. The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces has repeatedly highlighted shortages of equipment, spare parts and ammunition in reports, making large-scale deployments and a high tempo of exercises organisationally challenging. Service personnel say the exercises provide an opportunity to test the movement of supplies, maintenance and command capability under time pressure, and to identify weaknesses early.
The German armed forces provided only limited information in advance about the specific exercise locations and force contributions. Areas cordoned off for live-fire exercises, engineer and medical training, as well as sections where electronic interference and drone defence are simulated, are customary. Military command stresses that all measures are being carried out in accordance with Lithuanian law and in close coordination with the local authorities.
Timing: The announcements were published on 30 and 31 October 2026. The start of the exercises in early November is therefore current and supported by official Army announcements.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).