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NATO Enhanced Forward Presence

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Enhanced Forward Presence (EFP) is a NATO-allied forward-deployed defense and deterrence military force in Northern, Central and Eastern Europe. This posture in Northern Europe through Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and in Central Europe through Poland, Slovakia and Hungary and in Eastern Europe through Romania and Bulgaria, is in place to protect and reassure the security of NATO's Northern, Central and Eastern European member states on NATO's eastern flank.[1][2]

The coat of arms of the Enhanced Forward Presence.

Following Russia's invasion of Crimea, NATO's member states agreed at the 2016 Warsaw summit to forward deploy four multinational battalion battle groups to areas most likely to be attacked.[3]

The numbers involved, although a notable supplement to the armed forces of the country being defended, are limited so that they avoid seeming to threaten Russia. The chief value of the force is that it is impossible to invade Poland or the Baltic States without battling the soldiers and firing on the flags of the involved NATO states, giving cause for war. It is believed that the prospect of war with all those countries will deter aggression.[citation needed]

The original four multinational battalion battle groups are based in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, and led by the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and the United States respectively.[4]

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, NATO members agreed to establish four more multinational battalion battle groups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia led by Italy, Hungary, France, Czech Republic respectively at 2022 Madrid Summit.[5]

Country Location Leading state Participants as of November 2022[5] Troops (approx.)[A][6][7]
 Bulgaria Kabile  Italy Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Turkey, United States 1,650[8][A]
 Estonia Tapa  United Kingdom Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, United States 2,200
 Hungary Tata  Hungary Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, Turkey, United States 1,054[A]
 Latvia Ādaži  Canada Albania, Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,[9][10] United States 4,000
 Lithuania Rukla  Germany Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Iceland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, United States 3,700
 Poland Orzysz  United States Croatia, Romania, United Kingdom 11,600
 Romania Cincu  France Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, United States 4,700
 Slovakia Lešť  Spain Czech Republic, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United States 1,100[A]
  1. ^ a b c d The data is from November 2022. The numbers in Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia include participating troops from their own national Armed Forces.

The troops serving in the multinational battalion battle groups rotate every six months and train and operate with their host nations' militaries.

Multinational Battalion Battle Group Estonia

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Belgium

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The Belgian Army contributes a 269-soldier strong Belgian Land Component armoured infantry company from the Chasseurs Ardennais with support elements and HQ staff officers.[11]

Denmark and Iceland

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Additionally the Danish Army will deploy a mechanized force by 2018 at the latest.[12] Three brigade HQ support personnel from the Royal Danish Army and 1 strategic communications civilian from the Icelandic defence forces have also been stationed in Estonia.[13]

France

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The British unit will be supported by a mixed battle group from the French Army's 9th Light Armoured Marine Brigade consisting of a mechanized infantry company from the 2nd Marine Infantry Regiment equipped with VBCI infantry fighting vehicles, artillery from the 11th Marine Artillery Regiment equipped with CAESAR self-propelled howitzers, and combat engineers from the 6th Engineer Regiment, with a company of Leclerc main battle tanks from the 7th Armoured Brigade's 1st Chasseurs Regiment attached for the deployment.

United Kingdom

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The United Kingdom under Operation Cabrit[14] deployed 800 personnel from the British Army's 20th Armoured Brigade Combat Team:

The British Army's 5th Battalion, The Rifles battlegroup, rotated back to the United Kingdom in November 2017 and was replaced by a battlegroup formed around the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh.[16]

During 2022 between March and June Exercise Spring Storm took place which brought AgustaWestland Apache AH.1's and AgustaWestland Wildcat AH.1's to Estonia and other Eastern European countries.[17]

As part of Aviation Task Force 3 under Operation Peleda, Chinook HC.5/6s from No. 27 Squadron RAF were deployed to Amari Air Base between 8 July and September 2022. They were supported by the Joint Helicopter Support Squadron, Tactical Supply Wing RAF and 244 Signal Squadron (Air Support) (of 30 Signal Regiment).[18] Chinook HC.5/6s from No. 18 Squadron RAF deployed to Amari from January to February 2023.[19]

Multinational Brigade Latvia

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Italian Army 1st Bersaglieri Regiment VTLM Lince being refueled by Canadian Army and Slovenian Army troops
 
Italian Army 4th Tank Regiment Ariete main battle tank and a Canadian Army LAV VI during a training exercise
 
Structure of Latvian eFP Battle Group

The Latvian multinational battalion battle group is based at Camp Adazi, near the Latvian capital of Riga, and contains approximately 1,500 personnel.[20][21]

Albania

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Albania will send a small detachment of 21 EOD engineers from the Albanian Land Force.

Canada

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Canada provides the core of the NATO battle group in Latvia with approximately 540 mechanized infantry and supporting troops. This contingent, Operation Reassurance, is provided by Canada's high-readiness brigade, a task which rotates annually amongst the three Regular Force brigades of the country. Reservists from more than 100 units across Canada have provided several augmentees to each rotation.[22]

2017

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In 2017, the contingent was provided by 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in Western Canada, which handed over to 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in Eastern Canada in 2018. The 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR), based in CFB Gagetown, rotated in to relieve the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI).[23]

2018

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In June 2018, the 2nd Battalion RCR was replaced by the 1st Battalion RCR, based out of Petawawa, Ontario.

2019

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In January 2019, Canada's French-speaking mechanized brigade from Quebec, (5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group), took on the task. The commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Sauvé, and most of the soldiers were from the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22e Régiment (2R22eR) or the armoured 12e Régiment blindé du Canada (12e RBC).[24] In accordance with this rotation cycle, they were replaced in July 2019 by the 2nd Battalion PPCLI from the 1st Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group.

2020

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In January 2020, a battle group led by Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), of the 1st Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, rotated in to Latvia, and was replaced by a battle group led by the 2nd Battalion RCR.

2021

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In January 2021, a battle group led by the Royal Canadian Dragoons, of 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, relieved the 2nd Battalion RCR.

2023

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On 15 December 2023 the Canadian Defence Minister announced several measures to strengthen Canada’s military presence in Latvia as part of the planned increase from about 1,000 Canadian personnel to 2,200 by 2026. These include:[25]

  • The deployment of four Griffon helicopters to the battle group starting in summer 2024. These will be periodically joined by Chinook helicopters, starting in autumn 2025.
  • The procurement of portable LR Spike anti-armour missile systems for the Canadian Forces in Latvia. These will be arriving from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems starting in mid-2024.
  • The deployment of medium-range radar capabilities, which will support the battle group's air defence. They will be joined in due course by a to-be-procured Canadian air defence system.
  • The full complement of about 130 personnel for Canada's tank squadron of 15 Leopard 2A4M tanks should be in place by spring 2024.
  • A total investment of more than CA$15 million in infrastructure needed to scale up the battle group to a brigade group.

2024

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On 15 February 2024, the Canadian Defence Minister announced that the Canadian Armed Forces members in Latvia will receive air defence capabilities consisting of:

  • The RBS 70 NG short-range air defence system to defend themselves against fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters within its range, close air support aircraft, small uncrewed aerial systems, and larger uncrewed aerial systems.
  • A counter-drone capability against small drones using the TRD Systems of Singapore ORION-H9 dismounted directional systems; the CACI Inc. of the United States CACI BEAM 3.0 omni-directional systems; and the Leonardo UK Ltd. Falcon Shield fixed-site systems.[26]

Czech Republic

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The Czech Republic provides a mortar platoon of 55 soldiers.[27]

Denmark

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In April 2022, the first part of a force consisting of about 750 Danish soldiers, along with armoured vehicles, arrived in Latvia.[28]

Italy

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Italy will provide an Italian Army mechanized Infantry company with Freccia and Dardo infantry fighting vehicles. Recently the Italian Army has reinforced its presence with 8 Ariete main battle tanks.

Montenegro

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Montenegro provides a reconnaissance squad.[13]

Poland

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Poland provides an armored company with PT-91 Twardy main battle tanks.

Slovenia

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Slovenia will deploy an Infantry reconnaissance platoon, Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) team, Contribution to battlegroup headquarters, Support elements of the Slovenian Armed Forces.

Slovakia

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Slovakia deployed an armored infantry company consisting of 150 troops from 11th Mechanized Battalion starting in second half of 2018. The Slovak force contribution consists of:

  • a Mechanized Company on BMP2
  • Command and Control Element
  • Military Police team
  • Repairs and Operation Platoon as a support element
  • A team of medics

Since December 2020, Slovakia has changed capabilities from Mechanized to Artillery. SLOVCON consists of:

  • Artillery Battery on Zuzana II
  • Support Platoon (Repairs and Maintenance)
  • NSE (National Support Element)
  • Military Police Team
  • Priest
  • Medic Team

Spain

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Spain will dispatch a reinforced armored infantry company consisting of around 350 troops from the 11th Mechanized Infantry Brigade "Extremadura". The Spanish contingent will include 6 Leopard 2E main battle tanks from the I/16th Tank Battalion "Mérida" of the 16th Armored Regiment "Castilla" and 15 Pizarro infantry fighting vehicles from the I/6th Mechanized Infantry Battalion "Cantabria" of the 6th Infantry Regiment "Saboya".[29]

Sweden

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The Swedish Prime minister announced during a defence conference in January of 2024 that Sweden will provide a Battalion to Latvia in 2025 as part of NATO's forward presence when Sweden joins NATO.[30] The Battalion will be deployed in cooperation with Denmark with a changeover between a Danish and a Swedish battalion every 6 months. Initially the 71 Motorized battalion is earmarked for the Deployment.

Multinational Battalion Battle Group Lithuania

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The Lithuania multinational battalion battle group is under the command of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf of the Lithuanian Land Forces and based in Rukla.[31] The battalion has a headquarters company, three to four combat companies and various support units.[31] The battle group is led by Germany.[32] Each rotation lasts six months.[33] Additionally, since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the German Armed Forces have expanded their presence in Lithuania. In December 2023 German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius and Lithuanian Minister of Defence Arvydas Anušauskas agreed on plans to permanently station a full German Brigade in Lithuania beginning in 2025.[34]

Date November 2017[35] Parent unit(s) March 2019[36] Parent unit(s) October 2020[37] Parent unit(s)
Country/number of troops
Belgium 60 Support elements 1 Staff officer for battlegroup headquarters 1 Public affairs officer
Czech Republic n/a - 230[27] Mechanized infantry company

Support elements

35 Electronic warfare element

Support elements

Croatia 178 Mechanized infantry company

(15x Patria MV armoured vehicles, 4x multiple-launch rocket system

3x M-ATV mine-resistant vehicles)

1st Mechanized Battalion "Tigers"

of Mechanized Guard Brigade[38]

208 Mechanized infantry company 208 Mechanized infantry company
France n/a - n/a - 275 Mechanised infantry company

Armoured platoon with MBT

Germany 450 Armoured infantry battalion with AFVs

complemented with MBTs and self-propelled artillery

Mobility engineers,

Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance

(incl. tactical UAVs) and support elements

540 Armoured infantry company

Combat service

Combat service support

527 Armoured company

Mechanised infantry platoon

Combat service

Combat service support

Iceland 1 1 Coast guard officer

for explosive ordnance disposal

1 Public affairs civilian 1 Public affairs civilian
Luxembourg 22 Integrated into Belgian

Support elements

n/a - 4 Transportation team
Netherlands 250-270 Armoured infantry company

with AFV

250-270 Mechanised infantry company

with AFV

270 Mechanised infantry company

Logistics support element

Norway 200 Combined arms company - armoured Drawn from Telemark Battalion

and other Brigade Nord units

[equipped with CV9030 IFVs

and Leopard 2A4NO MBTs]

13 Joint fires section Artillery Battalion 120 Armoured infantry company

with AFV

Total 1181 1055 1233

Belgium and Luxembourg

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2017

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The Belgian Army sent a logistic support company, which arrived in Lithuania on 24 January 2017. The 100 men from the 18th Logistics Battalion and 29th Logistics Battalion of the Belgian Land Component with medical and military police units attached arrived by ferry in Klaipėda and contain a small detachment of troops from the Luxembourg Army,[39][40] which brought with them around ten transport trucks.[41]

Czech Republic

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In July 2018, Czechia provided EFP Lithuania the 1st Company Task Force consisting of a mechanized company with Pandur armored vehicles reinforced by an engineer platoon, a logistics unit and a medical element reaching a total of 230 people.[42] After six months, they were replaced by the 2nd Task Force for the next half-year.[42] Both task forces consisted of the 41st Mechanized Battalion [cs]'s soldiers.[42] After deployment, the company task force returned to the Czech Republic in July 2019.[42] From then on until 2021, Czech Army sent four electronic warfare task forces.[42] Since July 2021, an anti-aircraft missile battery from the 252nd Anti-Aircraft Missile Section (sub-unit of the 25th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment [cs]) armed with RBS 70 has been operating in Lithuania.[42]

France

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Some 200 soldiers from 5th Dragoon Regiment of the French Army have arrived to Rukla on 3 July 2020, staying there for 6 months until the end of December, with a hundred more administration and logistics personnel. The troops form a mechanised infantry company and are reinforced with 5 Leclerc tanks and 14 VBCI IFVs.[43]

Germany

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The first German Army unit to deploy to Lithuania is the 122nd Mechanized Battalion of the 12th Armoured Brigade [de] of the 10th Panzer Division. Equipped with Marder infantry fighting vehicles the battalion will be augmented with Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks from the 104th Tank Battalion, PzH 2000 self-propelled artillery from the 131st Artillery Battalion engineers from the 4th Armored Engineer Battalion and troops from the 4th Supply Battalion.

Norway

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2018-2019

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From January to June 2018 about 30 soldiers deployed from the Intelligence Battalion's long-range reconnaissance patrol squadron.

2019-2021

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From July 2019 troops from the Telemark Battalion and the Armoured Battalion are alternating on deploying an armoured infantry company with IFVs and MBTs consisting of 120-140 soldiers.[44][45][46]

2022

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From January 2022 2nd Battalion contributes a mechanized company with a tank capacity of about 140 personnel[47]

The Norwegian Government said in February 2022 that it will increase its contribution with up to 60 soldiers due to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis.[48] In June 2022 the Government extended Norway's contribution in Lithuania until 2023 due to the war in Ukraine.[49]

In August 2022 the taskforce was increased by a platoon from Telemark Battalion, bringing the total number of troops up to ca. 200.[citation needed]

Multinational Battalion Battle Group Poland

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The Poland-based multinational battalion Battle Group, known as Battle Group Poland (BGPOL),[50] is currently[when?] led by the United States Army's 2nd ("Cougars") Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment (United States) headquartered in Rose Barracks, Germany. The Battle Group consists of a US combined-arms battalion, a Sabre Squadron from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, a Croatian rocket artillery battery, and an ADA company from the Romanian Army.

The Battle Group is attached to the Polish Army's 16th Mechanized Brigade and based in Orzysz located south of Kaliningrad Oblast and 120 kilometers away from the Suwałki Gap.

Incidents

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In June 2021, around 30 German soldiers were recalled from service in Lithuania after they were accused of making racist and anti-Semitic remarks and of sexual violence.[51]

References

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  1. ^ https://shape.nato.int/efp [bare URL]
  2. ^ https://mncne.nato.int/forces/nato-enhanced-forward-presence [bare URL]
  3. ^ "NATO war game defends Baltic weak spot for first time". EURACTIV MEDIA NETWORK BV. 19 June 2017.
  4. ^ "Boosting NATO's presence in the east and southeast". NATO.
  5. ^ a b "NATO's military presence in the east of the Alliance". NATO. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  6. ^ "NATO's Forward Presence, November 2022" (PDF). NATO. November 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  7. ^ https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2022/3/pdf/2203-map-det-def-east.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  8. ^ "NATO's multinational battlegroup in Bulgaria reaches full capability".
  9. ^ "Sweden is ready to deploy a combat battalion in Latvia | Aizsardzības ministrija".
  10. ^ "Försvarsmakten ska förbereda styrkebidrag till Lettland". 26 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Belgian troops joined the NATO enhanced forward presence battle group at Tapa - Kaitsevägi". www.mil.ee. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 2019-10-30.
  12. ^ Holehouse, Matthew; Farmer, Ben (14 June 2016). "British troops to defend Baltics against Russia in new Nato mission". The Telegraph. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  13. ^ a b "NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence" (PDF). nato.int. 2019-02-13. Retrieved 2019-10-30.
  14. ^ "enhanced Forward Presence". British Army. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  15. ^ Soldier Magazine. Aldershot Garrison, Hampshire, England: Ministry of Defence. August 2016. p. 14.
  16. ^ "Royal Welsh Regiment to be base unit of British contingent in Estonia from November". Latvian Information Agency. 19 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  17. ^ "Helicopter Ground Crew Finesse Skills Ahead of Deployment to Eastern Europe". British Army. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  18. ^ AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. October 2022. p. 8.
  19. ^ AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. March 2023. p. 8.
  20. ^ CBC News (January 5, 2021). "Canadian Forces members in Latvia test positive for COVID-19 virus". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2021-04-17. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  21. ^ "NATO eFP Battle Group | Aizsardzības ministrija". www.mod.gov.lv. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  22. ^ https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2023/12/minister-blair-announces-measures-to-strengthen-canadas-military-presence-in-latvia.html [bare URL]
  23. ^ Defence, National (13 January 2018). "Canadian Armed Forces Members deploy to continue deterrence mission in Latvia". gcnws.
  24. ^ rédaction, La. "Premier départ de troupes de Valcartier déployées en Lettonie – 45eNord.ca".
  25. ^ "Minister Blair announces measures to strengthen Canada's military presence in Latvia". www.canada.ca. 2023-12-15. Retrieved 2023-12-20.; and David Pugliese, "Canadian NATO troops in Latvia get air-defense, anti-tank upgrades, Defense News, Feb 15, 2024. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/02/15/canadian-nato-troops-in-latvia-get-air-defense-anti-tank-upgrades/?utm_campaign=dfn-ebb&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sailthru&SToverlay=2002c2d9-c344-4bbb-8610-e5794efcfa7d
  26. ^ "Canada acquiring air defence and anti-drone capabilities for Canadian Armed Forces members deployed with NATO in Latvia". www.canada.ca. 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
  27. ^ a b "České jednotky zamíří do Pobaltí. S minomety a obrněnci Pandur". iDNES.cz (in Czech). 11 June 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  28. ^ "Danish reinforcements land in Latvia to boost NATO presence". Public broadcasting of Latvia. 27 April 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  29. ^ "España desplegará por primera vez los tanques Leopard en una misión exterior". ABC España. 12 February 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  30. ^ https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/aktuellt/2024/01/svenska-soldater-till-baltikum/ [bare URL]
  31. ^ a b "NATO Enhanced Forward Presence". kariuomene.lt. Archived from the original on 2022-04-29.
  32. ^ Strickland, John (10 October 2017). "U.S. Army-led NATO Battle Group on deterrence mission in Poland". www.army.mil. Archived from the original on 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  33. ^ "Soldiers of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group Lithuania nearing the end of rotation received decorations | Lithuanian army". Soldiers of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group Lithuania nearing the end of rotation received decorations | Lithuanian army. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  34. ^ "German brigade in Lithuania set to be combat ready in 2027". dw.com.
  35. ^ NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence (PDF). 2017.
  36. ^ NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence (PDF). www.nato.int/factsheets. 2019.
  37. ^ NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence (PDF). 2020.
  38. ^ "Croatian troops join international NATO battalion in Lithuania". Delfi. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  39. ^ German Army eFP site
  40. ^ "Ministry of National Defence Republic of Lithuania :: News » News Releases". Archived from the original on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
  41. ^ "Luxembourg's troops join NATO battalion in Lithuania". Delfi. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  42. ^ a b c d e f "Lotyšsko a Litva". Mise (in Czech). Archived from the original on 2021-10-30.
  43. ^ Beniušis, Vaidotas. "Gynybos atašė: prancūzų karių kuopa Lietuvoje pilnai sukomplektuota". LRT (in Lithuanian).
  44. ^ Factsheet NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence October 2020
  45. ^ "Enhanced Forward Presence". I tjeneste for Norge (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  46. ^ Arstad, Svein (2021-04-12). "Norske soldater til topps i Nato-konkurranse". forsvaretsforum.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  47. ^ Rognstrand, Andrea (27 January 2022). "Nye kontingenter fra Norge til Irak og Litauen". Forsvarets Forum. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  48. ^ "Norway is increasing its contribution to NATO enhanced Forward Presence in Lithuania". Government.no. Norwegian Government. 15 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  49. ^ "Norge forlenger sitt styrkebidrag i Litauen". Regjeringen.no (in Norwegian). Norwegian Government. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  50. ^ Dorschner, James (21 September 2017). "Ramping up: U.S. Army Europe building forces and capability". Jane's Defence Weekly.
  51. ^ "German soldiers dismissed over Hitler birthday song". Reuters. 2021-06-16. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
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