Lithuania has announced a €240 million ($278 million) modernization effort for its Pabradė Training Area, one of the most important facilities supporting US rotational forces in the Baltics. The extensive upgrade package features improved barracks, upgraded dining and fitness amenities, and a more robust long-term logistics support structure. A new “Soldier Center” was also unveiled, named in honor of four US troops who tragically lost their lives earlier this year during a training accident—highlighting Lithuania’s continued support for its American partners.
The improvements are intended to enhance the training environment and ensure that multinational operations can be conducted year-round without capability gaps. By assuming full responsibility for the operational expenses tied to hosting US forces, Lithuania is easing the support requirements for the US Army while securing a stable presence of more than 1,000 American troops. These expanded capabilities will enable smoother joint operations, more integrated planning, and faster deployment readiness for NATO units operating in the region.
Lithuania’s investment follows a period of growing bilateral defense cooperation with Washington. Large-scale exercises remain a key component of this partnership. Iron Wolf 2025 brought together 3,700 troops and 700 armored and support vehicles, while the BALTOPS 2025 drills featured live-fire HIMARS rocket artillery training conducted jointly with US Marines. These exercises demonstrate Lithuania’s emphasis on interoperability, precision fires, and strengthened collective defense.
With these new infrastructure upgrades and recurring high-intensity exercises, Lithuania is reinforcing its role as a critical NATO stronghold on the eastern flank. The modernization of Pabradė Training Area is expected to support long-term alliance readiness and enhance the country’s ability to host, train, and deploy multinational forces.
