On 24 April, a press conference was held in Zilupe, in the east of Latvia, where defence minister Andris Sprūds and commander of the National Armed Forces, Major General Kaspars Pudāns, informed the media of the work planned and planned for the future to strengthen border safety with aggressors, Russia and Belarus.
"Last year we approved a plan to strengthen military and countermobility on the east border. We are pursuing the goal of blocking, reversing and destroying each opponent from a centimeter distance," said Sprūds, noting that the plan has been implemented on time so far. At the same time, the 2 officials stressed the request for an urgent adoption of the Act establishing the infrastructure essential for countermobility and mobility measures, which would let for the expropriation of additional land in order to make the Baltic Defence Line and to build fortifications along the border more quickly.
"We are already working with NATO allies to guarantee that all obstacles, positions and fortifications are in line with their operational plans. This is not just a Latvian task – it is the backbone of the defence of the east NATO flank designed so that our allies can immediately take up conflict positions, if necessary," said Pudāns. Latvia's actions are undertaken jointly with Estonia and Lithuania, which make akin fortification systems and obstacles within the united Baltic Defence Line. SimultaneouslyPoland and Finland besides modernise their borders with aggressor countries.
This year, €45 million was allocated to strengthen the east border, including the preparation of sensors, mines, artillery and road infrastructure. In parallel, permanent resource compositions and fortification points are created. The construction of the Latvian section of the Baltic Defence Line is planned for 5 years – from 2024 to 2028, with a full investment of EUR 303 million. However, Sprūds stressed that strengthening the border would be a continuous task that would exceed the five-year plan framework. "Our border with an imperialist neighbouring country must be strengthened in the long term", stressed the Minister.
Source: LSM.lv
Study Bulletin: BIS
