EU Border Funding Request: Lithuania Seeking Financial Assistance for a Comprehensive Defense Infrastructure
Lithuania has formally requested up to €8.76 billion in loans from the European Defence Fund for the development of its defense capabilities, including the strengthening of its multi-level border defense line along its borders with Russia and Belarus. This funding request is part of Lithuania’s broader defense investment needs, covering various aspects such as the formation of a military division, combat and logistical support systems, ammunition, the Baltic defense line, and military aid to Ukraine.
In dollar terms, Lithuania plans to allocate more than $1.2 billion over the next ten years specifically for measures to stop a Russian invasion, with a significant portion expected to come from EU programs, including the loans requested.
The multi-layer defense line project involves a three-level defensive border line with anti-tank obstacles, minefields, drainage ditches, and other fortifications, intended to halt or delay a potential enemy attack. The project timeline spans about ten years, with initial development phases running through 2028 and long-term maintenance and modernization beyond 2029.
The first level of the defense line, located 5 km behind the border checkpoints, will consist of anti-tank ditches, barriers, minefields, fortified posts with trenches, and auxiliary positions with trenches. The second level, located 15 km behind the first level, will include drainage ditches, parks of engineering equipment, bridges prepared for demolition, and blocked bridgeheads. The defense line will extend to a depth of 50 km.
The development of border territories under the defense line scheme may require hundreds of millions or even billions of euros. The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense has presented a scheme for a multi-level defense line on the border, and the Baltic homeless expect to receive funding for the defense line from the EU.
It's important to note that no information about the deployment of European air defense units or the strengthening of Lithuania's air defense has been provided in this article. The request for funding was made in connection with the alleged fall of a Russian drone on the territory of a Lithuanian military training ground.
The second image shows an assessment of the effectiveness of the barriers by two majors, while the first image depicts a diagram of the engineering equipment of the Lithuanian border. The European Commission is currently reviewing the funding request.
- The funding request from Lithuania to the European Defence Fund is not limited to defense capabilities against war-and-conflicts with Russia and Belarus; it also includes investment in politics and general news, such as the formation of a military division and military aid to Ukraine.
- The multi-layered defense line project, which involves substantial funding, extends beyond just border fortification; it also encompasses aspects of politics, general news, and war-and-conflicts, such as combat and logistical support systems, ammunition, and the Baltic defense line.
