Photo: The Times
Amid growing concerns about a possible armed conflict in Europe, the Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – are actively fortifying their eastern borders. As part of NATO’s joint defence strategy, they are implementing a large-scale project called the Baltic Defence Line, which covers about 965 kilometres along the borders with Russia and Belarus.
This was reported by The Telegraph.
A thousand bunkers and a network of fortifications
The initiative will involve the installation of more than 1,000 concrete defences, of which at least 600 will be built in Estonia. In addition, the project includes trenches, anti-tank ditches, underground ammunition storage facilities, and logistics support points.
These fortifications are designed not only to deter a potential enemy, but also to inflict losses on it in the event of full-scale aggression.
Will they be built in time?
Despite the high pace of construction, experts warn that the full implementation of the project could take up to ten years. However, as former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis noted, there may not be time:
“Putin will not wait for a decade. The most dangerous period will come immediately after the end of hostilities in Ukraine.”
These fears are reinforced by Danish intelligence, which indicates that Russia will be able to rebuild its armed forces within six months of the end of the war in Ukraine and will be able to start local conflicts in border states. In two years, it is projected to be able to wage regional wars, and in five years it will be ready for a large-scale conflict in Europe.
NATO strengthens its presence in the region
In 2023, NATO countries adopted an updated Baltic defence strategy that includes support from Finland, Poland and Germany.
Today, international forces under Canadian command are deployed in Latvia, units under German control are deployed in Lithuania, and about 1,000 British troops are stationed in Estonia. But this is not enough, Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn emphasise: they demand a permanent presence of NATO combat brigades, not just rotational battalions.
“The Russians can cross the country in a few hours. We have no strategic depth, so we have to defend ourselves from the first metre,” Landsbergis said.
Not a wall, but a smart system
Experts note that the Baltic Defence Line is not a solid concrete wall, like the famous Maginot Line in France.
“It’s not a barrier, but a network of flexible fortifications that direct the enemy to areas where they can be effectively destroyed,” explains Martha Kepe, senior analyst at Rand Corporation.
Analysts add that successful defence in modern warfare is a combination of fortifications and technology. The use of drones, satellite reconnaissance and digital command allows for real-time monitoring of enemy movements.
“In the world of mobile warfare, defence becomes an art. You can’t just build a wall – you need to predict the invasion routes and create conditions in which the enemy loses momentum and initiative,” said Michael DiCianna, a research fellow at the Institute of World Policy.
What does this project mean?
“The Baltic Sea Defence Line is not only about protecting borders, but also a symbol of resolve. In a world of rising geopolitical tensions, this initiative sends a clear signal that the Baltic States are ready to defend their independence from the first minute.
“We are ready to defend ourselves immediately, from the first centimetre, because we have no other choice,” said Karolis Aleksa, Lithuania’s Deputy Defence Minister.
