Lithuania. “Brave Griffin 26–II” military exercises
Polish President Karol Nawrocki, together with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, observed joint operations of troops from Poland, Lithuania, the United States, and Portugal near the town of Kamień (Lithuanian name Akmenynai) in Lithuania as part of the “Brave Griffin 26–II” military exercises.
The aim of the exercise is to prepare sub–units for deployment and conducting defensive operations alongside NATO Allies, as well as to plan tactical operations, conduct reconnaissance, and carry out assaults.
The Presidents of Poland and Lithuania observed a dynamic capability demonstration and then inspected the equipment and weaponry.
NATO’s eastern flank has become a theatre of intensive Alliance exercises. This shows how seriously both Poland and Lithuania take threats and how the Allies get ready to deal with them, pointed out President Karol Nawrocki during the conference with his Lithuanian counterpart.
Karol Nawrocki thanked President Gitanas Nausėda, the leadership of the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense, the commanders involved, and everyone who contributed to the successful conduct of the exercises. “
“I congratulate our Lithuanian hosts on the successful organization of this event, the culmination of which is reflected in today’s concluding exercises.” he underscored.
He also noted that he watched the Polish component participating in the maneuvers—the 17th Wielkopolska Mechanized Brigade—with great satisfaction.
The ability to cooperate with partners from Lithuania, the efficient deployment to the operational area beyond our national borders, and the achievement of the synergy so urgently needed today—along with the combination of our two armies’ experiences— these achievements deserve high praise and recognition, and I am very pleased with the results, he said.
– “Poland and Lithuania identify the same threat, which seems obvious— the enduring threat posed by the Russian Federation and Belarus. We experience this virtually every month as this hybrid war unfolds, and we are fully aware of it,” said Karol Nawrocki.
He noted that Poland and Lithuania jointly implement a deterrence initiative on NATO’s eastern flank. The President went on to say that together with our Lithuanian partner, we are creating a unified defense system along our border—the fortifications under “Shield East” are integrated with Lithuania’s Baltic Defense Line.
Maintaining a high level of defense spending and exerting pressure on other Allies in this regard is also an important aspect, emphasized the President of Poland.
He noted that both Poland and Lithuania are setting an example of responsibility for the region’s security by allocating 5 percent, or even more than 5 percent, of GDP to defense. “This is one of the highest levels within NATO. These actions not only strengthen Poland’s security, but also Lithuania’s security and that of the entire region,” he argued.
What we have in common together with President Gitanas Nausėda is our focus on the interoperability of our armed forces, the modernization efforts undertaken, and attention devoted to dual–use infrastructure between Poland, Lithuania, and the Baltic states, the development of our armed forces’ capabilities, as well as the steadfast fulfillment of our commitments within the North Atlantic Alliance. And all of this to make sure Poland is secure, Lithuania is secure, as much as secure are the Baltic states, and Europe, declared Karol Nawrocki.
At the conclusion of his visit, President Karol Nawrocki met with Polish soldiers from the 17th Wielkopolska Mechanized Brigade participating in the exercises.
In the “Brave Griffin 26–II” tactical exercise, which has taken place in Lithuania near the town of Kamień (Akmenai), the lead participating unit is the Lithuanian Motorized Infantry Brigade—the Infantry Brigade Griffin, along with military units from Poland, Portugal, and the United States.
