Fortification of Baltic Shield: Lithuania Deploys 1.1 Billion Euros on Mines, Anti-Tank Barriers, and Cement Structures
Locking Down Altogether: Lithuania Investing 1.1 Billion Euros in Barriers, "Hedgehogs," and Bunkers
The Baltic nations have commenced a monumental defense initiative on their borders with Russia and Belarus. The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense pledges a whopping 1.1 billion euros over the next ten years on a defensive arsenal dubbed "counter-mobility" tools.
Of the 800 million, anti-tank mines and their installation systems are set to consume a significant chunk. This equipment list isn't for the faint-hearted – dragon's teeth, hedgehogs, concrete blocks, shipping containers, barbed wire, electronic warfare systems, and anti-drone technologies are part of the package. Lithuania stepped away from the Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel mines.
A grand total of 27 "obstacle parks" will be constructed along the border with Russia and Belarus.
Elsewhere, ditches will be deepened, forests within 20 km of the border will be cleared, fords will be fortified, and engineering fortifications will be erected even within city boundaries.
All this forms part of a broader Baltic strategy that Latvia and Estonia have embraced. Simultaneously, Lithuania is collaborating with Poland on the Eastern Shield project to strengthen the Suwalki corridor.
*Pay Attention! Important! | For more find us | #security*
The large-scale defense project involving Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia is a multi-faceted endeavor designed to bolster regional security through various measures. Let's delve into the specifics of these initiatives:
The Baltic Defense Line
The Baltic Defense Line comprises the construction of various fortifications along the borders with Russia and Belarus. This initiative includes:
- Anti-tank ditches and bunkers: Approximately 600 bunkers per country are planned as part of the defensive infrastructure.
- "Dragon's teeth" and "hedgehogs": These obstacles are designed to impede the progress of armored vehicles.
- Sensors and barriers: To expedite response times and bolster surveillance abilities.
Financial Allocation:Lithuania has set aside approximately €1 billion from its national budget over the next decade for counter-mobility equipment and engineering mechanisms. The total budget for the defense line program could reach €10 billion, including infrastructure and weaponry costs.[2]
The Eastern Shield Project or "Drone Wall"
There's mention of a "drone wall" concept, not exclusively tied to the Suwalki Corridor but a broader initiative involving Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Finland, targeting drone threats. This concept may complement the region's defense efforts but is not directly linked to the massive fortification project.[3]
The Project's Objective
The primary objective of these initiatives is to deter potential military threats and safeguard regional security and stability, aligning with broader European and NATO objectives.[1][4]
The Suwalki Corridor
While the Suwalki Corridor is strategically vital to regional security discussions, the current projects do not explicitly mention collaboration with Poland to block this corridor. The Suwalki Corridor plays a vital role in connecting NATO's eastern frontier, though reports primarily focus on fortifying borders, not specific corridor defense strategies.[3]
Collaboration with Poland
Poland plays a part in broader regional security deliberations, as illustrated by its stake in the "drone wall" concept, but there's scant information on Poland's participation in the Baltic Defense Line Project centering around the Suwalki corridor.[3]
In summary, the defense efforts in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia aim to strengthen their collective defense stance against potential threats from Russia and Belarus.
In its bid to fortify regional security, Lithuania has allocated approximately €1 billion over the next decade towards "counter-mobility" tools, including "dragon's teeth" and "hedgehogs" as part of the "Baltic Defense Line". This colossal project, valued at potentially €10 billion, seeks to deter military threats by constructing a network of obstacles, bunkers, and sensors along borders with Russia and Belarus. Furthermore, there's a proposed "drone wall" initiative, a joint effort between Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Finland, intended to combat drone threats. Despite the collaboration with Poland on the Eastern Shield project, the focus seems to be on fortifying borders rather than explicitly defending the Suwalki Corridor.
