Laurynas Kasčiūnas discussed development of the common defence line with Ministers of Defence of the Baltic states and Vice Minister of National Defence of Poland in Daugavpils today. NATO Ministers addressed defensibility of the eastern flank borders and the measures each of the countries could take separately and together with the others in order to safeguard national and NATO borders. Participants of the meeting also issued a joint statement which highlighted a mutual initiative to seek EU funding for defence of the EU borderline.
“Lithuania works hard to create a seamless defence line in collaboration with the other states. Our effort underlines our resolve to enhance defence against any threats. Moreover, it is critical to define and support the main directions of NATO, EU and national strategic action in the face of hybrid threats and assaults. It means making sure that all elements of defence are tightly coordinated together. Also, we need to make sure to use our collective powers to the fullest in the fight against the emerging threats,” said Minister L. Kasčiūnas.
Representatives of the Baltic states and Poland agreed it was necessary to propose a EU objective to increase funding for border defence seeking more EU involvement in strengthening the eastern EU part and ensuring its security.
The eastern border of the EU coincides with the border of the eastern flank of NATO. The political focus of NATO and the EU has to be set on the plan for strengthening the defence line with concrete measures outlined and financing committed.
“Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are the outpost of the outer borders of NATO and the EU on the east side and the hybrid and conventional threats coming from it, that is why it is critical that the organisations maintain a tight cooperation. We aim for a unified communication on the collective importance of this initiative and to avail of NATO and EU measures that can help to enhance the capabilities in concerned,” said L. Kasčiūnas conveying the agreed position of the Baltic and Polish Defence Ministers.
Lithuania is building up countermobility measures
Lithuania’s objective to strengthen deterrence and defence by strengthening border security was laid out in the national defence agreement of the parliamentary parties in 2022. While this summer the Government took a decision on specific measures the Armed Forces and the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Environment and municipalities will have to implement.
27 engineer countermobility parks are in the plans across Lithuania bordering Belarus and Kaliningrad of the Russian Federation. The Lithuanian Armed Forces Logics Command has signed procurement contracts for engineer countermobility means: dragon’s teeth, cheval de frise and Czech hedgehog type of fortifications and concrete road barriers are planned to be transferred to the Lithuanian Armed Forces by the end of the year. The purchase is worth over EUR 4 million. Another batch of dragon’s teeth type of fortifications is planned to be bought for approx. EUR 2.5 million.
Moreover, the Lithuanian countermobility action plan includes reconstruction of irrigation ditches, development of tree alleys by the roads and preservation of woodland patches up to 20 km inwards the country away from the borderline, around highways and roads, fortification of fording areas in River Nemunas on the border with Russia, and whatever else is necessary. Mine acquisitions play a crucial role in countermobility capability-building and also meet the Armed Forces requirement for a sufficient amount of mines for the battlefield.
Lithuania has already formed five countermobility parks and purchased countermobility means and anti-tank mines, part of the purchase is already store in Lithuania.
