On January 19, the defense ministers of the Baltic countries signed an agreement in Riga, according to which Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will create a defense zone on their borders in the coming years. It will consist of various defense facilities, the purpose of which is to deter and, if necessary, protect against a military threat from Russia and Belarus.
The Baltic countries will jointly strengthen the borders with Russia and Belarus
Defence ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania approved the creation of a joint Baltic defence zone on the border of Russia and Belarus.
The Ministry of Defense of Estonia reported this.
Thus, the defence ministers signed an agreement today in Riga, according to which Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania will, in the coming years, create a defence zone on their borders consisting of various defence facilities, the purpose of which is deterrence and, if necessary, protection against a military threat.
The Baltic defense zone is a carefully thought-out project, the necessity of which stems from the security situation. Russia's war in Ukraine has shown that, in addition to equipment, ammunition and manpower, we also need physical defense facilities on the border to protect Estonia from the first meter, — said Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur.
According to him, defence facilities aim to prevent a military conflict in their region.
This is done so that the people of Estonia can feel safe, but if there is even the slightest risk, they will be ready for various events faster.
Baltic Defence Zone: what is known
The concept of defence facilities is based on the agreement at the NATO summit in Madrid that allies should be protected from the first meter and new regional defence plans.
The Baltic defence zone is essentially a complex of prevention measures and field protection, the elements of which on the ground support the activities of the defending defence units in the strongholds to intercept, if necessary, the attack of the aggression units.
The elements will be scattered over the landscape, considering the results of the analysis of the enemy, the environment, and the battle plan of the defence forces' units.
The Baltic region is one area of hostilities, and therefore defense facilities are being built together with Latvia and Lithuania, — writes the Ministry of Defense of Estonia.
What else did the Baltic ministers agree on?
In peacetime, explosives and other obstacles will not be placed in the protection zone; a network of support points and distribution lines will be created. All processes are carried out in cooperation with local communities and in agreement with landowners.
The defence ministers also signed an agreement of intent for the HIMARS multiple-launch fire systems, which aims to create a framework for the joint use of the weapon system in peacetime and wartime.
The Defense Ministers of Estonia and Latvia also signed a cooperation agreement to provide NATO air security from Lijellvarde Air Base in Latvia. At the same time, the runway at Emari Air Base is being repaired.
In addition, the defence ministers discussed issues related to Ukraine's support, payment of the potential of the Baltic states, and the upcoming summit in Washington.
