Construction of the Eastern Shield begins in Poland. October 2024. Photo: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk
Poland has begun a major reinforcement of defence infrastructure on its eastern borders with Russia and Belarus. The project, called the Eastern Shield, is set to become Europe’s first land-based barrier of this scale.
The construction, which involves an investment of PLN 10 billion (€2.3 billion), began in November 2024 at the initiative of the new government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. This project is designed not only to protect Poland but also to ensure the security of the whole of Europe, says Cezary Tomczyk, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence.
“We are building a system that will become a bulwark for the defence of Europe,” Tomczyk emphasises, showing huge maps detailing the structure of the future shield.
Project structure and scope
“The Eastern Shield will include:
- Heavy infrastructure: trenches, bunkers, anti-tank ditches, minefields, as well as steel and concrete fortifications.
- Light infrastructure: strategic roads, logistics points, medical centres and communication networks that will extend up to 50 km inland.
- Smart defence systems: intelligence technologies, thermal imagers, satellite surveillance and anti-drone capabilities to counter hybrid threats.
The 700-kilometre-long project is expected to be completed by 2028. Particular attention is being paid to strategic vulnerable areas, including the Brest Gate, an 80-kilometre strip that has been used for military invasions throughout history.
Modernisation and international cooperation
The project is accompanied by an unprecedented upgrade of the Polish armed forces. By 2025, the country’s defence budget will reach a record 4.7% of GDP, the highest among NATO countries. Poland plans to spend 400 billion zlotys (€93 billion) on the purchase of military equipment, involving the United States, the United Kingdom and South Korea as partners.
However, experts doubt the sustainability of these ambitions. Problems with funding and logistics, as well as the massive transfer of Soviet equipment to Ukraine, have led to serious challenges for the country’s armed forces.
Challenges and political legacy
The current government inherited a chaotic situation in the defence sector from the previous government. After many years of stagnation, PiS (Law and Justice) policy focused on the procurement of equipment, ignoring the issues of maintenance and training.
“We are building an aircraft in flight,” comments Cezary Tomczyk, emphasising the need to return an expert approach to the modernisation process.
Despite the criticism, Poland is determined to create the most innovative border in Europe. The new security system will be an important element in strengthening the security of not only the country, but also NATO.
(Source: Le Monde)
