Latvian Defence Minister: Construction of Baltic Defence Line to Last Next 10 Years

The construction of a joint Baltic defence line in Latvia may take the next decade and the costs will be significant. This was stated by Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spruds, according to the Delfi news portal.

"Preliminary calculations of the cost of the defence line have already been made, but details are still being clarified. In any case, this is not public information. The government will have to decide how to reconcile the costs of this plan with other government priorities," the defence minister said, adding that security is one of the top priorities.

"Of course, financial resources are very important here, because other areas are also important. We are talking about significant amounts. We have a plan for several years ahead, which specifically outlines the measures we will take to implement this plan. We are talking about the next decade, in which the construction and strengthening of the defence line will continue," Spruds said.

The agreement of the three Baltic States does not stipulate that all countries will start or complete the construction of this line in full synchronisation on the same day.

To effectively deter the enemy, mutual coordination with Lithuania and Estonia is also needed. 

Last week, the defence ministers of all three Baltic States signed an agreement to establish the Baltic Defence Line. This will significantly enhance the military potential of the countries to protect the eastern border of the Baltic States and NATO, ensuring the delay and blocking of potential enemy movement. The ministers announced this at a press conference following a meeting of the defence ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

Currently, the National Armed Forces (NAF) have developed a detailed plan for military reinforcement and anti-mobility of the eastern border, which will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers by the end of the month. The plan envisages ways to ensure the country's defence and delay the enemy by various means. 

The Latvian Ministry of Defence is also considering a possible withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention after an assessment of the National Armed Forces that suggests the possibility of placing anti-personnel mines on the border with Russia.