Lithuania ordered combat vehicles from Germany. The most expensive contract in history – the Polish Radio

From left: Minister of Defence of Lithuania Juozas Olekas, Polish Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz and the Minister of Defense of Ukraine gene. Army Stepan Poltorak Photo: PAP / Wojciech Pacewicz

the Minister participated in the opening ceremony of the common Polish-Lithuanian-Ukrainian brigade in Lublin and met with the defense ministers of Lithuania and Ukraine Juozas Olekas and gen. Stepan półtorak.

– the reports that we received indicate a good job, a good rip all three battalions, and indeed a great chance, and maybe even sure that this brigade will reach operational readiness in the next year – Macierewicz said after receipt of the report of the pre-readiness brigade.

He added that treats cooperation within the unit as “one of the essential forms of our military cooperation on the eastern flank of NATO.” He stressed that the brigade consists of two NATO members – Poland and Lithuania – as well as Ukraine, being “under the pressure of Russian aggression.”

Source: TVN24 / x-news

Clear signal

Macierewicz pointed out that the brigade will be allocated among to participate in UN peacekeeping missions.

– But also we know that the brigade is a sign, a symbol, and it is a very clear signal to all those who would violate the peace in Europe. Therefore, we attach enormous importance to the earliest possible achievement of operational readiness, and also to all the actions that are taken in the course of our cooperation – said Macierewicz.

Comparison of locomotives

the Minister of Defence of Ukraine gene. Półtorak stressed that the participation of the Ukrainian side in this project will bring huge benefits the Ukrainian army.

– We treat brigade as a kind of locomotive that pulls up our army. Because officers train here, they raise their quality. I think we will be able to check the achievement of the Ukrainian army also based on the success of the soldiers within the brigade – he said.

He noted that the existing Ukrainian soldiers training conducted by instructors, among others, NATO mean that they are much better prepared to fight.

– I am convinced that the soldiers of the Lithuanian and Polish functioning in this joint brigade will be beneficial because it will be able to take over fighting experience, which have soldiers Ukrainian . Also on the basis of this brigade will be able to practice various plans and options to develop – pointed gene. Poltorak.

When asked if the brigade multinational will possibly participate in the peacekeeping mission in eastern Ukraine, said that the brigade is stage of development, and this case was not a topic of conversation ministers.

– the Brigade will reach full operational capability in 2017. I am convinced that the territorial integrity of Ukraine renew already in 2016 – said the Ukrainian minister of defense.

next step

the Minister of Defence of Lithuania Juozas Olekas said, however, that the inauguration of the common Polish-Lithuanian-Ukrainian brigade is another step “in strengthening our defense cooperation.”

– I am convinced that together with the operation of the brigade, the farther away, the more Ukraine will be prepared for that to restrain aggression. (…) We see strengthening the Ukrainian army. Our partnership is just one element of the broad support for Ukraine, which is located in the world – said Olekas.

Brigade LITPOLUKRBRIG

Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian brigade LITPOLUKRBRIG It was established under an agreement between signed in September 2014 .; is mainly intended to participate in peacekeeping operations.

The main task of the brigade is to rely on the participation in peacekeeping operations; purpose of the establishment of the unit is also to strengthen regional military cooperation and helping Ukraine in reforming its armed forces. The brigade has also become the basis for the appointment of the next EU Battle Group. To be used in operations under the auspices of the UN, NATO and the EU and within the framework of ad hoc coalitions set up to cover in accordance with the UN Charter and agreements between countries exhibiting strength.

tri-national brigade is to eventually count approx. 4 thousand. soldiers and are subject to command, which is located in Lublin. Battalions secreted to brigade Lithuanian, Polish and Ukraine will remain in the existing locations constant dislocation (within the territories of their countries) and will be subordinated to the brigade commander at the time of exercise and mission. Poland will refer to one of the brigade battalions 21. Riflemen Brigade in Rzeszow.

The key positions in the brigade have one after the other – every two years – the officers manning the three countries forming unit. Currently, the brigade commander is a Polish officer, his deputy – Ukrainian officer, and chief of staff – Lithuanian officer.

The joint battalion formed, ministers of defense of the three countries decided in 2007. In Brussels. A year later it was decided that it will be a bigger unit. The appointment LITPOLUKRBRIG decided in 2009. The date of signing the agreement to establish a brigade repeatedly postponed. In the end, the document was signed in Warsaw in September 2014.

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