Bundeswehr deployment, trial over the first Baltic seabed incident, Latvian language exams, three new Perfect Strangers films, geopolitical extortion, and the EU enlargement debate — these are the stories that will be making the Baltic headlines in the following weeks.
February 2026 Baltics Next Month Newsletter
From Rotational Deterrence to Embedded Defence
In February, the Lithuania-based NATO Multinational Battle Group will integrate into Germany’s Bundeswehr 45th Panzer Brigade. Since NATO has deployed a 1200-strong multinational Enhanced Forward Presence force in the Baltics, 18 shifts of German, Belgian, Czech, Croatian, French, Luxembourgian, Dutch, Norwegian, and Icelandic troops/personnel have rotated through Lithuania. Germans have always made up the bulk, with at times more than half of the total deployment. Although the Multinational Battlegroup began its operation under Lithuania’s Iron Wolf Brigade, from February onwards, the 45th Panzer Brigade will take over its leadership. Meanwhile, two more foundational changes are underway: 1.) NATO deployment transitions from rotational deterrence to embedded structural defence; 2.) the number of people is expected to grow to 5000 before the end of 2027. The formal ceremony will take place in Kaunas’ Santaka Park on the 4th of February.