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Baltic Defence Line

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Baltic Defence Line
Baltic states
Location of the Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
TypeDefense line
Site information
Controlled byEstonia
Latvia
Lithuania

The Baltic Defence Line (Estonian: Balti kaitsevöönd,[1] Latvian: Baltijas aizsardzības līnija, Lithuanian: Baltijos gynybos linija) is a planned joint defense line by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania along their borders with Russia and Belarus.[2] 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.[3] The Baltic Defence Line is to begin construction in Estonia in 2025,[1][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

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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,[note 1] 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][9] It is suspected that M142 HIMARS artillery rocket systems also are to be used for defensive capabilities.[8][10]

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.[1]

History

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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.[11] At the 2022 NATO Summit in Madrid is where the concept of defensive installations were decided.[4]

References

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Notes

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  1. ^ Latvia and Lithuania are yet to disclose the amount of bunkers they are to build in relation to the Baltic Defense Line.

References

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