Belgium will send nearly 200 soldiers to Lithuania at the end of July to bolster NATO’s eastern flank against the Russian threat, said Defence Minister Theo Francken during a parliamentary committee meeting on Wednesday. However, the decision still requires approval by the Council of Ministers, which is expected on Friday.
This deployment is part of NATO’s “Forward Land Forces” operation, which oversees multinational battle groups stationed in eight eastern European countries. Belgian troops, deployed at Germany’s request, will be stationed in Lithuania until 31 January 2026.
Belgium’s contribution will include a reconnaissance squadron of around 100 soldiers, an artillery task force with 70 troops, about ten staff officers, and a support unit of roughly ten soldiers specialising in logistics, medical support, and military police.
“This commitment demonstrates our readiness to assume our responsibilities within the Alliance, underscores our political and military solidarity with our partners, and strengthens our bilateral ties with Germany,” Francken emphasised. He added that the operation will allow Belgian units to enhance their tactical skills and interoperability with international partners.
Separately, Belgium will contribute €140 million towards strengthening Ukraine’s air defence against Russian attacks as part of the German-led Immediate Action on Air Defence (IAAD) initiative, Francken announced. Belgian A400M military transport aircraft will also provide logistical support. A meeting on this matter is scheduled between Francken and the German ambassador to Belgium on Thursday.
