© Cédric Ferry / RTL
Amid growing security concerns in Eastern Europe, seven soldiers from the Luxembourg Army are deployed at NATO's military base in Rukla, Lithuania, where their mission is to enhance deterrence and readiness.
Soldiers from six NATO member countries, including seven from the Luxembourg Army, are currently stationed at the military base in Rukla, Lithuania. But what brings these troops to the Baltic region, and what does their daily life on the base look like?
On Wednesday morning, Minister of Defence Yuriko Backes and Chief of Staff of the Luxembourg Army, General Steve Thull, departed for Lithuania aboard the Luxembourg military aircraft A400M. Their visit to the NATO military base in Rukla included a meeting with Luxembourg's deployed soldiers and a review of their mission.
A signal of readiness
Accompanied by members of the Luxembourg press, Minister Backes emphasised the importance of highlighting the army's role during the flight to Lithuania. She noted that Luxembourg finds itself in a geopolitical landscape where war is occurring not far from its borders. The Luxembourg soldiers stationed in Rukla are participating in NATO's collective defence efforts, which, she argued, are essential for the protection of Luxembourg.
Backes underscored the significance of sending a clear signal to Russia that NATO is prepared to defend its member states.
General Steve Thull elaborated on the purpose of NATO's military presence in Eastern Europe, describing it as a deterrent measure aimed at reassuring the people living in the Baltic region and contributing to the maintenance of peace.
Among the tasks of the 1,290-strong NATO unit in Rukla is ensuring that the soldiers remain capable of responding effectively in an emergency. The military presence allows the forces to conduct exercises and readiness tests, reinforcing their preparedness for any potential threats.
During the visit, Minister Backes held meetings with outgoing Lithuanian Defence Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas and his designated successor, Dovilė Šakalienė. The discussions focused on the importance of transatlantic solidarity, with Backes assuring her future Lithuanian counterpart that Luxembourg's commitment to NATO operations in Lithuania would continue.
The threat posed by Russia is viewed as particularly serious in Lithuania, especially as the country observes growing cooperation between Russia and other authoritarian regimes. Šakalienė specifically pointed to the Kremlin's increasing ties with China, North Korea, and Iran.
In Šakalienė's view, this global alignment of authoritarian powers means the democratic world must stand united against the growing threat. "We are in a situation like never before," she stated, emphasising the need for collective action to counter the influence of these regimes.
Increased military expenditure required
While NATO has reinforced its eastern flank, experts argue that current troop levels – approximately 300,000 – would be insufficient if war with Russia were to break out. General Steve Thull stressed the need for much larger and more rapidly deployable forces, equipped with the necessary weapons, machinery, and infrastructure.
He also highlighted that the 2% of GDP target for defence spending, which NATO members are expected to meet, will not be enough to address future needs. This view aligns with comments from former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and his successor, Mark Rutte.
"When you calculate the requirements for the future and consider the GDP of individual countries, the estimate is clear: 2% will not be enough to meet all that is needed," General Thull said.
Luxembourg has an agreement with NATO to invest 2% of its Gross National Income (GNI) in defence, instead of the 2% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that most NATO members are required to meet. This target is set to be achieved by 2030, but it may be raised to 3% by then. Current estimates suggest this could amount to around €2 billion per year.
Beyond financial investment, Luxembourg will also need to contribute additional materials, infrastructure, and personnel to meet NATO's growing demands.
Life on the base
Training, emergency preparedness, and deterrence are the primary reasons for NATO's military presence in Lithuania and Romania, where Luxembourg soldiers are also stationed. But what does the daily life of a soldier at the Rukla base look like, and what are their responsibilities?
According to the Staff Officer responsible for the Luxembourg Army in Rukla, there is a structured daily routine for military personnel. As an officer in communications, her day typically starts with preparing communication plans at the office, followed by fieldwork to ensure systems are functioning properly.
© RTL
Meanwhile, the soldiers under her command work in logistics, handling a variety of tasks. When a mission arises, they load lorries and carry out assignments such as transporting ammunition, food, or, occasionally, recovering a stranded vehicle.
One aspect of life at Rukla that the Staff Officer finds particularly rewarding is the collaboration with fellow NATO troops from Germany, Belgium, Czechia, the Netherlands, and Norway. "Through this cooperation, you learn a lot," she said.
Among her colleagues is German Staff Sergeant Christopher, who has been stationed in Rukla since July. Christopher followed in his father's footsteps, as his father was also a soldier. After obtaining his vocational baccalaureate, he was drawn to the profession due to its combination of athletic and technical challenges. Following basic training, he decided to extend his service for a longer period.
© Cédric Ferry / RTL
In Rukla, Staff Sergeant Christopher serves as a "Reconnaissance Squad Leader," commanding a "Fuchs" type vehicle, specifically the "Spür-Fuchs" ("tracking fox"). This vehicle is used to conduct battlefield analyses and detect potential nuclear, chemical, and biological threats, a task that is regularly trained for. On the base itself, one of his responsibilities is to assess local industrial plants and identify possible risks they could pose.
NATO presence in Eastern Europe
The decision to increase NATO's military presence in Eastern Europe was, according to the military alliance itself, a direct response to Russia's aggressive actions toward its neighbours and the broader transatlantic community.
In 2014, NATO developed the "Readiness Action Plan" at the Wales Summit, a framework for the alliance's deterrence strategy. This plan includes measures designed to prevent any potential aggression against NATO members in Central and Eastern Europe.
At the 2016 Warsaw Summit, NATO decided to expand its "Forward Presence" in the Baltic States and Poland by stationing four "Battle Groups" in the region. These groups are made up of military contingents from various NATO countries.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO agreed at the Madrid Summit to strengthen these Battle Groups and scale them up to brigade levels.
