Baltic Defence Line: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Proposed defence cooperation between the Baltic States}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} |
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{{Use British English|date=May 2024}} |
{{Use British English|date=May 2024}} |
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The '''Baltic Defence Line''' ({{Lang-et|Balti kaitsevöönd}},<ref name="kaitseministeerium"/> {{Lang-lv|Baltijas |
The '''Baltic Defence Line''' ({{Lang-et|Balti kaitsevöönd}},<ref name="kaitseministeerium"/> {{Lang-lv|Baltijas aizsardzības līnija}}, {{Lang-lt|Baltijos gynybos linija}}) is a planned joint [[defense line]] by [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]] and [[Lithuania]] along their borders with [[Russia]] and [[Belarus]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> The Baltic Defence Line was announced on 19 January 2024, in a joint-meeting between the Ministers of Defence of [[Minister of Defence of Latvia|Latvia]], [[Minister of Defence (Estonia)|Estonia]] and [[Ministry of National Defence (Lithuania)|Lithuania]] in [[Riga]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> The Baltic Defence Line is to begin construction in Estonia in 2025,<ref name="kaitseministeerium">{{Cite web |title=Balti kaitsevöönd {{!}} Kaitseministeerium |url=https://kaitseministeerium.ee/et/eesmargid-tegevused/baltikaitsevoond |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=kaitseministeerium.ee |language=et}}</ref><ref name="euronews">{{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}}</ref> construction is to begin in Lithuania by the end of summer 2024,<ref>{{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}}</ref> and construction began in Latvia on 2 May 2024.<ref name="kyivindependent">{{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}}</ref> |
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According to |
According to [[Baiba Braže]], the [[Foreign Minister of Latvia]], the Baltic Defence Line could take up to a decade to be completed.<ref>{{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}}</ref> |
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== Structure == |
== Structure == |
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The Baltic Defence Line is planned to consist of anti-mobility defensive installations,<ref name="politico">{{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}}</ref> such as at least six-hundred [[bunker]]s across each individual national border,<ref group="note">[[Latvia]] and [[Lithuania]] are yet to disclose the amount of [[bunker]]s they are to build in relation to the ''Baltic Defense Line''.</ref> the usage of natural and artificial obstacles, such as forestry and rivers, and anti-tank ditches along the borders of the three [[Baltic states]].<ref name="kyivindependent"/><ref>{{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}}</ref> It is suspected that [[M142 HIMARS]] artillery rocket systems also are to be used for defensive capabilities.<ref name="politico"/><ref>{{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}}</ref> |
The Baltic Defence Line is planned to consist of anti-mobility defensive installations,<ref name="politico">{{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}}</ref> such as at least six-hundred [[bunker]]s across each individual national border,<ref group="note">[[Latvia]] and [[Lithuania]] are yet to disclose the amount of [[bunker]]s they are to build in relation to the ''Baltic Defense Line''.</ref> the usage of natural and artificial obstacles, such as forestry and rivers, and anti-tank ditches along the borders of the three [[Baltic states]].<ref name="kyivindependent"/><ref>{{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}}</ref> It is suspected that [[M142 HIMARS]] artillery rocket systems also are to be used for defensive capabilities.<ref name="politico"/><ref>{{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}}</ref> |
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Alongside the defensive installations, the Baltic Defence Line is to also consist of storage areas, where defensive elements such as [[Dragon's teeth (fortification)|dragon's teeth]] and razor wire are to be kept.<ref name="kaitseministeerium"/> |
Alongside the defensive installations, the Baltic Defence Line is to also consist of storage areas, where defensive elements such as [[Dragon's teeth (fortification)|dragon's teeth]], [[Czech hedgehog|anti-tank hedgehog]] and razor wire are to be kept.<ref name="kaitseministeerium"/> |
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== History == |
== History == |
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Latest revision as of 15:30, 12 August 2024
| Baltic Defence Line | |
|---|---|
| Baltic states | |
 | |
| Type | Defense line |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Estonia 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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Balti kaitsevöönd | Kaitseministeerium". kaitseministeerium.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "The Baltic Defense Line - Foreign Policy Research Institute". Foreign Policy Research Institute. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "The Baltic states develop a mutual defence line: agreements signed on countermobility and HIMARS capabilities". 19 January 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Baltic states sign agreement to bolster NATO's eastern border". euronews. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "Lithuania plans permanent fortifications on Russia, Belarus borders – minister". lrt.lt. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Media: Latvia starts digging anti-tank ditch near border with Russia". The Kyiv Independent. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ ERR, ERR News | (24 January 2024). "Latvian minister: Constructing Baltic Defense Line could take a decade". ERR. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Baltic states plan common defense zone on Russia border as security concerns mount". POLITICO. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ Martin, Tim (8 February 2024). "Baltic nations prepare 600-strong bunker defensive line, with Russian threat in mind". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ robertsemonsen (26 January 2024). "Baltic States To Establish Defense Line Along Eastern NATO Flank". europeanconservative.com. Retrieved 26 May 2024.