US upgrades military presence in Lithuania to combat level

US Army rotational units stationed in Lithuania are changing the level of military presence from deterrence to combat.

Lithuanian Army commander, Lieutenant General Valdemaras Rupshis, made the remarks this week, according to TASS.

“If until now the US military was in Lithuania with the tasks of familiarizing themselves with the situation, conducting joint exercises, now such units are equipped and deployed for immediate combat operations,” he said.

The lieutenant general explained the taken steps as a response to the assessment of military threats, the assessment of a potential adversary.

"Deterrents demonstrated that the American presence could alter tactically, which is what has now been done,” he said.

A US army rotational battalion with about 500 soldiers and officers is currently stationed in Lithuania. The last rotation of the contingent took place in early November. The 155 mm M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer, M1A2 Abrams tanks, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and M1 armoured personnel carriers have also been moved to Lithuania.