Key Developments
On 8 June 2026, the Bundeswehr said Panzer Brigade 45 began its first exercise in Lithuania under Freedom Shield 2026, conducting realistic combat training with drones alongside NATO partners to raise readiness.
Key Statistics
- 2,900 soldiers participating in the exercise, according to the Bundeswehr
- 2,400 German soldiers involved, the Bundeswehr reported
- 800 vehicles deployed for training, per the Bundeswehr
- 8 NATO nations contributing forces, according to the Bundeswehr
- 28 training containers transported for the exercise setup, the Bundeswehr noted
Main Body
On 8 June 2026, the Bundeswehr said Panzer Brigade 45 had commenced its first exercise in Lithuania as part of Freedom Shield 2026. The force trained in a realistic environment that included medical support, obstacle breaching and engagements against opposing forces, with extensive use of drones to simulate modern battlefield threats, the Bundeswehr reported.
Operationally, the exercise integrated modern sensors and digital networks for real-time analysis, and training took place along NATO’s eastern flank, according to a separate Bundeswehr update. The Bundeswehr said these systems enabled comprehensive data capture to evaluate tactics, command decisions and unit performance during combined-arms scenarios.
Earlier, on 1 June 2026, the Bundeswehr outlined the exercise’s scale, stating that approximately 2,900 soldiers, including around 2,400 Germans, and 800 vehicles from eight NATO nations were participating to strengthen combat capabilities under realistic conditions. The same period update also recorded the movement of 28 containers to support the exercise setup, the Bundeswehr noted.
The Bundeswehr additionally reported it was testing loitering munitions guided by reconnaissance drones, with the systems expected to equip the Lithuania Brigade from 2027, according to a separate Bundeswehr update. Taken together, the training and parallel equipment trials indicated Germany’s focus on drone-enabled combined-arms readiness and NATO interoperability on the alliance’s eastern flank, which the Bundeswehr said aimed to improve deterrence and rapid response capabilities in the region.
