The Ministry of Defense of Lithuania announced that the inauguration ceremony of the Permanent Logistics Support Area in Rukla, Jonava district, will be attended by Minister of Defense Dovilė Šakalienė, Commander of the 1st Division of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Aurelijus Alasauskas, and Brigadier General Christoph Huber, commander of the German brigade deployed in the country.
This new logistics center, built in a former vehicle depot, will serve as a hub for the maintenance and storage of military equipment, both for the German brigade and for the NATO multinational battlegroup present in Lithuania. The facility represents a key step in strengthening allied military presence in the Baltic country, in a regional context of increasing geopolitical tension.
The infrastructure covers nearly 20 hectares, including more than 161,458 square feet (15,000 square meters) of workshops, offices, warehouses, and other operational facilities. In addition, it features 1,291,669 square feet (120,000 square meters) of paved areas and roads.
La ministra de Defensa de Lituania se presentará en la inauguración del edificio
The project also included the modernization of local routes, the installation of essential public utilities, a physical and electronic security system, and a solar power plant, which reinforces the sustainability and efficiency of the complex.
The funding for the project came from the German government and was carried out by a main contractor from Germany, with the participation of 15 Lithuanian companies as subcontractors. The construction was executed through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency, reflecting the commitment to cooperation among allies and the drive to develop joint capabilities.
Germany plans to deploy a brigade in Lithuania composed of between 4,000 and 5,000 soldiers before the end of 2027. Most will be located in Rūdninkai, in the Šalčininkai district, while engineering and reconnaissance units will operate from Rukla, where this new logistics area is located.
El proyecto contará con una gran participación de Alemania
Berlin has emphasized that the pace of deployment will depend on Lithuania's ability to provide adequate infrastructure, not only for military operations but also to ensure decent living conditions for soldiers' families. This includes housing, schools, medical services, and other support facilities.
The Ministry of Defense of Lithuania estimates that the total investment needed to prepare the military and training facilities required by the German brigade could reach 800 million euros. This effort is seen as an essential part of Lithuania's national defense strategy and the strengthening of NATO's eastern flank.
