Norway to send more troops to Lithuania amid regional tensions

VILNIUS – Norway is sending additional troops to Lithuania to reinforce NATO's multi-national battalion, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday. 

A mechanized infantry squad with additional support elements, around 60 troops in total, are to arrive in Rukla, in central Lithuania, where the battalion is stationed. 

"We are grateful to Norway for its significant contribution to regional security," Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said in a press release.

"The current security situation calls for an additional response, and Norway's decision to send additional troops to Lithuania is very important and necessary," he said. 

Reinforcing NATO's enhanced Forward Present Battle Group in Lithuania is key to effective deterrence, according to the minister.

Around 140 troops with Leopard 2 A4 tanks and CV9030 Mk infantry fighting vehicles and support elements are currently stationed in Lithuania as part of the German-led battalion.  

Norway is joining other NATO allies that have decided to boost their contingents in Lithuania after Russia amassed tens of thousands of troops on its border with Ukraine.

Germany is deploying an additional 350 soldiers to Lithuania, Denmark has beefed up NATO's Baltic air policing mission, and the United Kingdom has said it will send a small number of troops to Lithuania.