Germany's armed forces showed off ongoing large-scale exercises on Thursday, with troops carrying out preparations for the protection of Europe's eastern flank.

Dubbed ”Quadriga 2025," the German-led exercises include more than a dozen NATO partners and focus on protecting the Baltic Sea region "in times of crisis and war," according to Germany's top military commander, General Carsten Breuer.

Breuer said their mission was clear, "(to) defend every square centimeter of the alliance's territory on land, at sea, and in the air."

Various demonstrations were held on the grounds of a federally owned shipyard on the banks of the River Warnow in Rostock-Warnemünde in front of members of the public, including politicians and military and administrative representatives.

Exercises involved drones and decontamination, while another demonstrated the secure departure of a transport ship from the shipyard to the Baltic Sea, accompanied by the police and navy.

In Lithuania, the German Armed Forces' 45th Tank Brigade, nicknamed “Lithuania,” is being gradually built up. It is expected to be fully operational with up to 5,000 soldiers by 2027.

During the core exercise period from August to September, around 8,000 soldiers from 14 NATO countries will participate in “Quadriga 2025.”

AP video shot by Pietro De Cristofao

Production by Kerstin Sopke