The puma in Vilnius

It was a strong signal to the Lithuanian public: German Puma armored vehicles participated for the first time in the parade in Vilnius on November 25, 2023 to honor the Day of the Lithuanian Armed Forces - demonstrating their presence ahead of the planned deployment of a heavy brigade in Lithuania.

Every year on November 23, Lithuania celebrates the formation of its armed forces in 1918. Every five years, this is the occasion for a grand military parade in Vilnius. This year, around 1,500 soldiers and more than 100 military vehicles from 19 countries participated. It was the largest military parade in the history of the Baltic state.

At the invitation of Lithuania, two Puma armored vehicles from the 12th Panzer Brigade "Oberpfalz" from Cham were also present this year. This marked the first appearance of the Puma in the Baltics. In front of the eyes of thousands of enthusiastic Lithuanian citizens, they symbolized the future during the parade celebrating the 105-year history of the country's armed forces - as harbingers for the so-called Brigade Lithuania. This brigade is intended to be equipped with the latest version of the Puma armored vehicle.

For the soldiers under the leadership of Captain Alexander G. from the 4th Company of the Panzergrenadier Battalion 112 from Regen, participation was an opportunity in many ways. "It is a true honor to be able to participate in this parade," said the captain, adding that such an opportunity to participate in a military parade does not exist in Germany. Furthermore, the soldiers had the opportunity to practice the processes related to the deployment of a Panzergrenadier platoon with Puma to Lithuania - important for the future deployment area.

BUNDESWEHR on the internet