Germany is preparing to deploy the Patriot missile defense system, based in Slovakia, to Lithuania in time for the NATO summit held in Vilnius this July. The move is described by the German Ministry of Defense as a concrete step to bolster allied air and missile defense during a high-profile gathering in the Baltic region.
Reports indicate that at the request of NATO, Germany will contribute a Patriot system from Slovakia toLithuania. The goal is to strengthen ground-based air defense for the summit, with the system designed to engage potential threats from multiple directions and to integrate with allied air defense architectures in the area.
The defense ministry stated that for ground-based air defense, Germany will deploy Patriot phased array tracking radars in Lithuania. These radars will be responsible for intercepting targets that originate from Slovakia and will operate alongside support units from Poland. Concurrently, the ministry announced a pause on further activities of the multinational task force that oversees Slovakia’s air and missile defense, signaling a temporary realignment of regional defense responsibilities to address the summit security needs.
Germany’s Bundeswehr underscored that Slovakia’s security remains a central concern for Berlin, with continued cooperation planned on several fronts. In particular, talks are ongoing regarding the exchange of Leopard 2A4 battle tanks and the transfer of MANTIS Modular air defense systems, reinforcing the broader defense partnership between Germany and Slovakia beyond the immediate deployment context.
Earlier reporting noted that an updated plan would see Patriot air defense systems stationed along Poland’s eastern border removed by June and the systems assigned from Slovakia by year’s end. This timeline reflects shifting deterrence commitments in response to evolving regional security dynamics while ensuring that allied defense capabilities remain responsive and ready for rapid redeployment when necessary (Source: German Ministry of Defense).”