One combat troop battalion each from Augustdorf and Oberviechtach become part of the Lithuanian combat unit. This decision was made by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) at the suggestion of the Inspector General of the of the Bundeswehr, General Carsten Breuer. However,there will be no site closures.
The 203 Armored Battalion from Augustdorf in North Rhine Westphalia and the armored infantry battalion 122 from Oberviechtach in Bavaria will be relocated to Lithuania. The battalions in combination with the Enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup form the core of the new armored brigade 42 in Lithuania. The Enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup has already been stationed in Lithuania for six years. The decisive factor in the selection of these battalions was above all the possibility maintain their locations after deployment. Compensatory measures to maintain the locations are necessary, however. Units will be redeployed or changed. While the reorganization of the armoured artillery battalion 215 will compensate for the relocation to Augustdorf, the artillery battalion 131 from Weiden in the Upper Palatinate will strengthen the Oberviechtach location.
In addition, the new formation f a light supply company for Oberviechtach is being examined. Meanwhile, the growth of the newly established armored artillery battalion 375 is continuing. In addition, the Ministry of Defense (BMVg) weighted further factors in favor of deploying the selected battalions. Combat strength and composition of the existing brigades in Germany, training and exercise opportunities as well as the different regional requirements for recruitment spoke in favor of the battalions from NRW and Bavaria. The transfer will take place as soon as the infrastructural and logistical requirements are created. “Despite the establishment of the brigade in Lithuania, we will not only retain the locations in locations in Germany, but will also continue to station at the locations in the medium term at a comparable level,” said Pistorius.