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Lithuania Hosts First Live-Fire Exercise of Puma IFVs as NATO Reinforces Its Eastern Flank.
From March 3 to 7, the NATO Multinational Battle Group in Lithuania (MN BG LTU) conducted its first live-fire training exercise involving Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs). This exercise, held at the Generas Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area in eastern Lithuania, took place in a tactical environment simulating modern combat conditions.
The exercise in Lithuania is part of a broader effort to strengthen NATO’s operational preparedness in response to evolving security challenges (Picture source: Lithuanian MoD)
The primary objective of the training was to enhance coordination between maneuver units and combat support elements in a dynamic operational setting. NATO forces practiced strategic troop movements, obstacle crossing with mobile bridges, as well as defensive and offensive operations against simulated adversaries. The exercise culminated in a Level 5 live-fire drill, the highest category of combat training, where Leopard 2 battle tanks, Puma IFVs, and PzH 2000 self-propelled artillery systems engaged stationary and moving targets, replicating real battlefield conditions with coordinated combined arms interactions.
The Puma IFV, a key component of the exercise, is a tracked infantry fighting vehicle developed by the German consortium Projekt Systems & Management (PSM), consisting of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall. Designed for the German Army’s operational requirements, it features a modular structure, advanced protection, and enhanced firepower. Powered by an MTU 892 diesel engine delivering 800 kW, it reaches a maximum speed of 70 km/h with an operational range of 650 km. Its adaptable armor configuration allows for adjustments depending on mission requirements, with weight ranging from 31.4 to 43 tons through additional protection modules. The Puma is also equipped with the MUSS active protection system, designed to counter guided anti-tank missiles, increasing its survivability in combat scenarios.
The Puma’s armament includes a Mauser MK 30-2 30mm cannon mounted on a remotely operated turret, complemented by a coaxial MG4 7.62mm machine gun and eight smoke grenade launchers. It is also fitted with MELLS launchers capable of firing Spike anti-tank guided missiles, with a range of 4,000 to 5,500 meters, enabling long-range engagement capabilities. Its digital architecture integrates advanced electro-optical sensors, a fire control system, and perimeter cameras, ensuring rapid target acquisition and improved situational awareness. Primarily deployed by the German Army’s mechanized infantry units, the Puma IFV combines mobility, protection, and firepower in modern combat environments.
The exercise was observed by senior officials from the Lithuanian Armed Forces, unit commanders, senior non-commissioned officers, as well as ambassadors and military representatives from MN BG LTU contributing nations. Their presence facilitated the exchange of operational best practices and strengthened coordination among NATO forces stationed in Lithuania.
MN BG LTU, integrated into the Lithuanian Iron Wolf Infantry Brigade, consists of approximately 1,600 troops from various NATO member states, including Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Croatia, the Netherlands, Norway, and Luxembourg. Under German leadership, this multinational battalion follows an intensive training cycle and regularly participates in large-scale military exercises alongside Lithuanian forces and other NATO units deployed in the country.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, NATO has reinforced its presence on Europe’s eastern flank as part of its deterrence and defense posture. Four multinational battle groups are currently stationed in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, demonstrating the Alliance’s commitment to collective security. According to a statement from the Lithuanian Armed Forces, these units play a key role in NATO’s broader military reinforcement, emphasizing that “an attack on one Ally will be considered an attack on the entire Alliance.”
The integration of Puma IFVs into NATO exercises in Lithuania represents a step forward in the interoperability and modernization of Allied military capabilities. By providing enhanced protection, optimized mobility, and increased firepower, these vehicles contribute to improving NATO’s combat readiness against emerging threats.
The exercise in Lithuania is part of a broader effort to strengthen NATO’s operational preparedness in response to evolving security challenges. Future training exercises in the Baltic region are expected to include more complex scenarios incorporating cyber and hybrid warfare elements. These drills aim not only to refine troop capabilities but also to ensure a swift and effective response to the shifting security landscape in Eastern Europe.
By fostering cooperation among Allied forces and facilitating knowledge exchange, the NATO Multinational Battle Group in Lithuania remains a key element of the Alliance’s defense framework. This first live-fire training exercise with Puma IFVs highlights NATO’s ongoing commitment to security and stability on its eastern flank in the face of growing geopolitical challenges.