Baltic Defence Line
{{Short description|Proposed defence cooperation between the Baltic States}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Baltic Defence Line
| location = Baltic states
| image = Baltic states location map.svg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Location of the Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
| type = Defense line
| controlledby = Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
| garrison =
| battles =
}}
The Baltic Defence Line ({{Langx|et|Balti kaitsevöönd}}, {{Langx|lv|Baltijas aizsardzības līnija}}, {{Langx|lt|Baltijos gynybos linija}}) is a planned joint defense line by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania along their borders with Russia and Belarus.{{Cite web |date=2 February 2024 |title=The Baltic Defense Line - Foreign Policy Research Institute |url=https://www.fpri.org/article/2024/02/the-baltic-defense-line/ |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=Foreign Policy Research Institute}} 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.{{Cite web |date=19 January 2024 |title=The Baltic states develop a mutual defence line: agreements signed on countermobility and HIMARS capabilities |url=https://kam.lt/en/the-baltic-states-develop-a-mutual-defence-line-agreements-signed-on-countermobility-and-himars-capabilities/ |access-date=26 May 2024}} The Baltic Defence Line is to begin construction in Estonia in 2025,{{Cite web |title=Balti kaitsevöönd {{!}} Kaitseministeerium |url=https://kaitseministeerium.ee/et/eesmargid-tegevused/baltikaitsevoond |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=kaitseministeerium.ee |language=et}}{{Cite web |date=19 January 2024 |title=Baltic states sign agreement to bolster NATO's eastern border |url=https://www.euronews.com/2024/01/19/baltic-states-to-build-new-defences-to-bolster-natos-eastern-border |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=euronews |language=en}} construction is to begin in Lithuania by the end of summer 2024,{{Cite web |date=22 May 2024 |title=Lithuania plans permanent fortifications on Russia, Belarus borders – minister |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2279757/lithuania-plans-permanent-fortifications-on-russia-belarus-borders-minister |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=lrt.lt |language=en}} and construction began in Latvia on 2 May 2024.{{Cite web |date=3 May 2024 |title=Media: Latvia starts digging anti-tank ditch near border with Russia |url=https://kyivindependent.com/media-latvia-starts-digging-anti-tank-ditch-near-border-with-russia/ |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=The Kyiv Independent |language=en}}
According to Baiba Braže, the Foreign Minister of Latvia, the Baltic Defence Line could take up to a decade to be completed.{{Cite web |last=ERR |first=ERR News {{!}} |date=24 January 2024 |title=Latvian minister: Constructing Baltic Defense Line could take a decade |url=https://news.err.ee/1609231730/latvian-minister-constructing-baltic-defense-line-could-take-a-decade |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=ERR |language=en}}
Structure
The Baltic Defence Line is planned to consist of anti-mobility defensive installations,{{Cite web |date=19 January 2024 |title=Baltic states plan common defense zone on Russia border as security concerns mount |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/latvia-lithuania-estonia-common-defense-zone-russia-border-security-concerns/ |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=POLITICO |language=en-GB}} such as at least six-hundred bunkers across each individual national border,Latvia and Lithuania are yet to disclose the amount of bunkers they are to build in relation to the Baltic Defense Line. the usage of natural and artificial obstacles, such as forestry and rivers, and anti-tank ditches along the borders of the three Baltic states.{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Tim |date=8 February 2024 |title=Baltic nations prepare 600-strong bunker defensive line, with Russian threat in mind |url=https://breakingdefense.sites.breakingmedia.com/2024/02/baltic-nations-prepare-600-strong-bunker-defensive-line-with-russian-threat-in-mind/ |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=Breaking Defense |language=en-US}} It is suspected that M142 HIMARS artillery rocket systems are also to be used for defensive capabilities.{{Cite web |date=20 January 2024 |title=Baltic Nations to Build Defense Network Along Borders with Russia and Belarus – All you Need to Know |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/26977 |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=Kyiv Post |language=en}}
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.
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.{{Cite web |last=robertsemonsen |date=26 January 2024 |title=Baltic States To Establish Defense Line Along Eastern NATO Flank |url=https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/baltic-states-to-establish-defense-line-along-eastern-nato-flank/ |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=europeanconservative.com |language=en-US}} At the 2022 NATO Summit in Madrid is where the concept of defensive installations were decided.
See also
- East Shield: a similar project of defensive line launched by the Polish government in order to fortify Poland's eastern borders with Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
References
= Notes =
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