Historic leadership change on NATO’s Eastern Flank

In a historic moment for NATO’s eastern flank, a Dutch officer has assumed command of the NATO Multinational Battlegroup in Lithuania for the first time.

Lieutenant Colonel Bas Schillemans took over leadership on 7 August 2024, marking a historic shift in the battlegroup’s command structure, which had previously been led exclusively by German officers.

Lieutenant Colonel Schillemans, who has been commanding the German-Dutch Tank Battalion 414 since 2022, expressed his commitment to NATO’s mission of deterrence. “I am looking forward to this new task, to be able to contribute to deterring adversarial aggression together with the six nations of our Battlegroup. If necessary, we will defend every inch of NATO territory!” he stated.

The battlegroup plays a key role in NATO’s security architecture, stationed on the eastern flank since 2017 as part of the Alliance’s efforts to ensure the defence of member states.

Germany’s position as the framework nation of the battlegroup remains unchanged. The country continues to provide the largest share of personnel and equipment to the battlegroup, maintaining its central role in the unit’s operations.

The collaboration between Germany and the Netherlands has been further strengthened by the integration of the Dutch 43rd Mechanized Brigade into Germany’s 1st Armoured Division, reflecting a long-standing and deepening partnership between the two nations.

Lieutenant Colonel Marek Krüger, Schillemans’ predecessor, reflected on his command with pride. “We had a challenging task here in Lithuania. And I am more than satisfied with the goals we have achieved,” said Krüger, noting the strong multinational cooperation and the support of the Lithuanian population during his tenure.