German troops arrive in Lithuania for rare long-term foreign deployment

German Bundeswehr soldiers of the Headquarters initial command element of the Bundeswehr’s 45th Brigade Lithuania arrive at an airport in Vilnius, Lithuania (Mindaugas Kulbis/AP)

Lithuanian leaders hailed a “historic event” as Germany on Monday began deploying troops in the Baltic country — a Nato member — marking the first time since the Second World War that German forces will be based outside the country on a long-term basis.

About two dozen soldiers arrived in Lithuania, laying the groundwork for a further 150 to join them later this year.