Defending NATO borders in Eastern Europe | DW Documentary

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Published 2024-05-19
Keeping the war in eastern Europe away from NATO borders is one of the German Bundeswehr’s jobs. An armored battalion from Thuringia is one of the spearheads of NATO’s rapid reaction force responsible for defending member nation Lithuania, in the event of an emergency.

"The squad can fight any opponent. But I hope it’ll never have to do that.” This is how the commander of the 10th Armored Division of the Bundeswehr, Major General Ruprecht von Butler, assessed the performance of the Thuringian armored unit after inspecting their exercises on Lüneburg Heath.

The armored battalion 393 from Bad Frankenhausen carried out a combat shooting exercise over several days, here. They used 30 modern Leopard 2 main battle tanks, supported by 14 Puma infantry fighting vehicles from a Bavarian battalion. The General’s praise was aimed at the core fighting force of NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF). This must be ready for fast deployment: They have two to seven days to be ready to counter a potential aggressor anywhere in the Alliance’s territory. The task force numbers some 10,000 soldiers from eight NATO states - among them many from Thuringia and Saxony.

The film observes the task force during their training exercises in Germany. The film also records a NATO maneuver in May 2023, on the Italian island of Sardinia. But attention is being drawn to eastern Europe . That region is the focus for NATO strategists. This is due to Russia’s war in Ukraine, a conflict that’s now been going on for more than two years. Here on the eastern flank - NATO’s official name for the region - armored infantry from Bad Salzungen in Thuringia have been deployed since mid-2023. They’re part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence or EFP battlegroup responsible for defending the Baltic country of Lithuania.

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All Comments (21)
  • @Apisticont
    We stand together. We dont know each other but we stand together. Im civilian, but Im not running from my land and family. Salut from Latvia
  • @freddyfischer9133
    We Germans must fulfill the trust given to us by our European neighbors after the Second World War. We are part of the European defense and we must be able to fulfill our task as part of the European defense and must finally re-equip our Bundeswehr, which has been depleted.
  • @palawanczech
    It's nice to see how Germans growing balls again
  • @Mit-dr3zj
    I happy to see how all Europe nations are working together in military though 100 years ago they were at war with each other regularly.
  • @Scaleyback317
    Ex British soldier who spent 7 very happy years of his 16 years of service in Germany. Now it's Germany's turn to be based elsewhere in case the unthinkable becomes a reality. I hope the Bundeswehr youngsters deploying get everythng they deserve to be getting from their politicians back in the safety of Berlin. Munitions/food/fuel/weaponry/funds for training/repairs and most of all if and when these fine young Germans need to deploy for the real thing those same politicians don't suddenly lose their sense of duty toward their soldiers. They deserve the very best their country can offer them and that has to include the loyalties of thier political leaders. German soldiers have never been in doubt they will always do their duty and do it well. German political leaders rarely inspire confidence however.
  • @nhecos2998
    Wishing all the best to NATO troops throughout Europe!
  • @justinperry3791
    The german people ahould be very proud what their nation has become i am glad they are one of many allies
  • @shakkabubba
    I’m American and I am proud that my country is a member of NATO and I support my tax dollars being used to defend democratic countries and values. 🇺🇸
  • @amenbrother8818
    Probably one of the last videos of this type we will ever see without a portion dedicated to the use of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) drones.
  • @JH-pv6rd
    Love to our NATO allies from Lithuania ❤