Lithuania has approved a major €240 million ($278 million) investment to expand and modernize the Pabradė Training Area, one of the key sites used by US rotational forces in the region. The upgrade program includes newly built barracks, renovated dining and fitness centers, and a strengthened logistics support system intended to improve long-term sustainment. As part of the expansion, officials also opened a new “Soldier Center,” dedicated to the memory of four US service members who died earlier this year in a training accident, underscoring the deep defense ties between the two nations.
The infrastructure enhancements are designed to enable continuous, year-round multinational training operations, significantly boosting NATO’s readiness on the alliance’s eastern flank. Lithuania has also taken on full financial responsibility for the operational costs associated with hosting US troops. This shift eases the logistical burden on the US military while ensuring sustained support for the more than 1,000 American soldiers rotating through the country. The expanded facilities are expected to increase exercise capacity and allow US and Lithuanian forces to train, deploy, and coordinate more efficiently.
This major investment aligns with Lithuania’s expanding defense cooperation with the United States. Recent joint exercises demonstrate this strengthened relationship, including Iron Wolf 2025, which mobilized 3,700 personnel and 700 military vehicles, and BALTOPS 2025, where US Marines conducted HIMARS live-fire rocket artillery drills. These operations highlight Lithuania’s growing focus on high-mobility firepower, interoperability, and rapid response capabilities.
Together, the modernization of the Pabradė Training Area and the scale of recent exercises underscore Lithuania’s commitment to reinforcing NATO’s posture in the Baltic region. The upgrades will help ensure the country remains a critical hub for allied training and forward defense operations.
