The Baltic Defence Line is slowly taking shape on NATO’s eastern frontier in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Lithuania has unveiled its first counter-mobility park in the country’s east, featuring roadblocks, barriers, and anti-tank obstacles. These measures are designed to slow down or stop the enemy, allowing for their destruction. Plans call for increased counter-mobility measures along the border with Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad region, with costs estimated at around €600 million over the next decade. Poland and Latvia are also fortifying their borders as part of the Baltic Defence Line initiative.
The Lithuanian defence line is part of a system of fortifications agreed upon by Baltic defence ministers in January. In June, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, and Polish leaders signed a letter urging the EU to fund a €2.5 billion defence line against military and hybrid threats from the East. The Baltic States, which were once part of the Soviet Union, are now part of the EU and NATO and are allies of Ukraine. The war in Ukraine has highlighted the importance of traditional obstacles like roadblocks and anti-tank obstacles in slowing down or stopping the enemy.
The zone in Pabradė, near the border with Belarus, features obstacles like ‘hedgehogs’ and ‘Spanish horses’ that can be quickly deployed in the event of an attack. The effectiveness of these physical barriers in combination with artillery fire coverage is key to defending against potential threats. The Baltic Defence Line initiative aims to reinforce NATO’s eastern border with Russia and Belarus, following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The creation of a common defence line is seen as a crucial step in deterring military and hybrid threats from the East.
In late July, the Lithuanian government approved plans to implement increased counter-mobility measures along the border with Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad region. The cost of these immediate measures is estimated at €17.5 million, with the total cost of the defence system projected to reach €600 million over the next decade. The Baltic Defence Line initiative is part of a broader effort by the Baltic States to strengthen their borders and enhance their defences against potential threats from the East. The fortification of the eastern border is seen as a necessary step in ensuring the security and stability of the region.
Poland is also set to fortify its eastern border under the East Shield initiative, while construction on Latvia’s first phase of the Baltic Defence Line is currently underway in the easternmost region of Latgale. The Baltic States have agreed to work together to create a common defence line, reinforcing their commitment to NATO and their allies in the region. The Baltic Defence Line initiative reflects the shared commitment of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland to enhancing their defences and deterring potential threats from the East. By strengthening their borders and fortifying their defences, the Baltic States are preparing to defend against military and hybrid threats from Russia and Belarus.
