Germany ready for permanent brigade presence in NATO member Lithuania

Germany is ready to deploy a robust brigade to Lithuania permanently, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Monday.

"Precondition (for the deployment) is that the necessary infrastructure is in place - barracks, training grounds and depots," he told reporters on a visit to Lithuania.

Germany already leads NATO's battlegroup in Lithuania, a reinforced battalion of some 1,000 troops, meant to strengthen the alliance's eastern flank. A brigade comprises up to 5,000 troops.