Baltic Defence Line Explained

Baltic Defence Line
Location:Baltic states
Type:Defense line
Controlledby:Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania

The Baltic Defence Line is a planned joint defense line by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania along their borders with Russia and Belarus.[1] The Baltic Defence Line was announced on 19 January 2024, in a joint-meeting between the Ministers of Defence of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania in Riga.[2] The Baltic Defence Line is to begin construction in Estonia in 2025,[3] [4] construction is to begin in Lithuania by the end of summer 2024,[5] and construction began in Latvia on 2 May 2024.[6]

According to Baiba Braže, the Foreign Minister of Latvia, the Baltic Defence Line could take up to a decade to be completed.[7]

Structure

The Baltic Defence Line is planned to consist of anti-mobility defensive installations,[8] such as at least six-hundred bunkers across each individual national border,[9] the usage of natural and artificial obstacles, such as forestry and rivers, and anti-tank ditches along the borders of the three Baltic states.[6] [10] It is suspected that M142 HIMARS artillery rocket systems also are to be used for defensive capabilities.[8] [11]

Alongside the defensive installations, the Baltic Defence Line is to also consist of storage areas, where defensive elements such as dragon's teeth, anti-tank hedgehog and razor wire are to be kept.[3]

History

The Baltic Defence Line began to be proposed in response to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and in fears over Russian threats to the Baltic states.[12] At the 2022 NATO Summit in Madrid is where the concept of defensive installations were decided.[4]

References

References

  1. Web site: 2 February 2024 . The Baltic Defense Line - Foreign Policy Research Institute . 26 May 2024 . Foreign Policy Research Institute.
  2. Web site: 19 January 2024 . The Baltic states develop a mutual defence line: agreements signed on countermobility and HIMARS capabilities . 26 May 2024.
  3. Web site: Balti kaitsevöönd Kaitseministeerium . 26 May 2024 . kaitseministeerium.ee . et.
  4. Web site: 19 January 2024 . Baltic states sign agreement to bolster NATO's eastern border . 26 May 2024 . euronews . en.
  5. Web site: 22 May 2024 . Lithuania plans permanent fortifications on Russia, Belarus borders – minister . 26 May 2024 . lrt.lt . en.
  6. Web site: 3 May 2024 . Media: Latvia starts digging anti-tank ditch near border with Russia . 26 May 2024 . The Kyiv Independent . en.
  7. Web site: ERR . ERR News . 24 January 2024 . Latvian minister: Constructing Baltic Defense Line could take a decade . 26 May 2024 . ERR . en.
  8. Web site: 19 January 2024 . Baltic states plan common defense zone on Russia border as security concerns mount . 26 May 2024 . POLITICO . en-GB.
  9. [Latvia]
  10. Web site: Martin . Tim . 8 February 2024 . Baltic nations prepare 600-strong bunker defensive line, with Russian threat in mind . 26 May 2024 . Breaking Defense . en-US.
  11. Web site: 20 January 2024 . Baltic Nations to Build Defense Network Along Borders with Russia and Belarus – All you Need to Know . 26 May 2024 . Kyiv Post . en.
  12. Web site: robertsemonsen . 26 January 2024 . Baltic States To Establish Defense Line Along Eastern NATO Flank . 26 May 2024 . europeanconservative.com . en-US.