After the invasion business of Russia into the Ukraine....there was a fair amount of chatter in Lithuania about the potential threat of the Russians to invade their land.
Germany stood up and said they'd base a brigade of combat troops there....figure in the range of 4,000 German troops.....permanently.
Getting additional troops 'hired'? Well....that's a problem, but the Germans have taken an active stance on this.
So this AM...a new problem presents itself. In the talks that followed of a permanent 'base' in Lithuania....there's the structure involved, and the cost to build it. I can say...generally from observing both German and American bases....the Americans always spend a fair amount of money.
You might go and review a world-class gym on a American base....the BX/commissary services....housing....barracks...medical facilities, and just note that a significant amount of funds is required.
Well....I'm not saying the Germans go cheaply, but there is a lesser construction program and maintenance situation.
So, the Lithuania politicians have stood up and said they really don't provide either level (what the Germans provide, or the Americans) for their troops....so the cost factor of building barracks, support facilities, etc....is going to be too much. Then, there's this hint that they thought the Germans would pay for everything (I doubt that anything was signed in that manner).
A lot of confusion? Yeah.
You would think that NATO would step in and cover the bulk (say 75-percent) of the cost involved. But the other factor which no one has openly discussed....on permanent basing....will there be apartments and German families based there in Lithuania? If so, do schools get into the mix? Will German commissary operations be part of this?
If you ask me....I'd say a lot of this plans stuff has not been fully explained to the public in either Germany or Lithuania.
No comments:
Post a Comment