On 9-10 June 2023, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer was in Lithuania to observe the "Blauen Express" Field Training Exercise, upon invitation of the Lithuanian Chief of Defence, General Valdemaras Rupšys. Admiral Bauer also met with a number of high-level military and political officials, including the Minister of National Defence, Dr Arvydas Anušauskas, and the Lithuanian Armed Forces Component Commanders. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss key topics ahead of the NATO Summit, in Vilnius, as well as thank Lithuania for its unwavering support to the Alliance.
Starting off his visit by meeting the Chair of Committee on National Security and Defence, Mr. Laurynas Kasčiūnas, Admiral Bauer highlighted the important role Lithuania has been playing in strengthening NATO's defensive shield. "At such a critical time in our shared security, within the Euro-Atlantic area and beyond, NATO Allies are upholding their enduring pledge of solidarity and collective defence", he underlined.
The next day, Admiral Bauer engaged with the Lithuanian Armed Forces Component Commanders and the Chief of their Defence Staff, Major General Mindaugas Steponavičius. They addressed the expectations for the upcoming Vilnius Summit, with a focus on the implications of NATO's Regional Plans across domains and military branches. Admiral Bauer noted that these plans will inform the new Force Structure Requirements, including by determining the assignment of specific forces and capabilities. This will have a significant impact on future investments and developments of Allied Armed Forces. Furthermore, Admiral Bauer highlighted how important it will be for Allies to deliver on the NATO Summit decisions.
The Chair of the NATO Military Committee reiterated this message in his discussion with the Lithuanian Minister of Defence, Dr Anušauskas and the Lithuanian Chief of Defence, General Rupšys later that day. Their respective meetings touched upon the DDA family of plans and, specifically, on the execution and implementation of the Regional Plans. Admiral Bauer reiterated, how the completion of the Regional Plans is merely the first of many steps that will enable the Alliance's collective defence - to go hand-in-hand with the increased production capacity of defence industries, enhanced military mobility, and strengthened enablement.
In the afternoon, Admiral Bauer flew to the "Gaižiūnai" Training Area, near Rukla, to observe exercise "Blauen Express", where the German-French Brigade and Lithuanian soldiers are training together to successfully test the rapid deployment of large equipment, material and personnel to the Baltic States, and the integration of a Lithuanian company of mechanized infantry. "These exercises show that our family of 31 democracies across Europe and North America has grown stronger, more capable, and more resilient", he said, addressing the media jointly with General Rupšys after completion of the visit.
One day before the start of the Vilnius Summit, Admiral Bauer underlined that the Alliance is in the midst of an unparalleled integration of NATO and national military planning. Reflecting on the magnitude of its implications and the important decisions to be agreed by Allies, he noted that "at the Vilnius Summit, our Alliance will show once again that it has a unique ability to unite, adapt and protect. Tomorrow's Summit will make NATO's message unmistakeable: NATO is here. NATO is vigilant. And NATO is ready to defend every inch of Allied territory".
As the visit neared the end, Admiral Bauer remarked on General Rupšys' inspiring leadership, and expressed his admiration for the troops' relentless devotion to protecting the 1 billion people who live on Allied soil. "Lithuania, just like the Iron Wolf, howls with the strength of a thousand wolves", he concluded, "we are proud to call you our Ally".
