Border Fortification

In January 2024, Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian defence ministers approved the Baltic Defence Line initiative. It will strengthen the defence of eastern border of the Baltic countries and NATO. Closely coordinated construction of the Defence line will be separately funded by each participating country.  Baltic Defence Line will significantly enhance military defence infrastructure and capabilities of Baltic countries, preventing Russia from any potential swift military attacks. This initiative is in line with NATO’s defence plans.

On 5 March 2024, Cabinet of Ministers approved border fortification and counter-mobility plan for eastern border. Eastern Border Fortification and Counter-mobility Plan is part of the Baltic Defence Line initiative, which covers the whole length of border with Russia and Belarus. National Armed Forces intend to create defence force support outposts – defence posts with reinforced structures and fortification with various obstacle lines, anti-tank trenches, ammunition and mine storages. 

The counter-mobility plan provides for a comprehensive set of measures. Alongside the construction of counter-mobility infrastructure, other priority capabilities of the National Armed Forces are also being developed – indirect fire support, air defence, early warning capabilities and others. This encompasses the development of sub-units, the provision of infrastructure and the creation of new jobs.

Counter-mobility measures are currently being implemented to ensure a blocking effect on the roads along Latvia’s eastern border, thereby creating conditions to prevent, as far as possible, the rapid advance of an adversary into our country’s land territory. The measures currently being implemented are primarily related to the construction of anti-mobility infrastructure in the immediate vicinity of the border. The total length of the defence line is just over 400 km.

Procurement of counter-mobility equipment continues. More than 20 counter-mobility depots have been established along the entire eastern border for the storage of this equipment, from which resources will be further deployed to specific areas.

At the same time, secure storage facilities for explosives, mines and engineering materials will be identified and established in the border zone to enable the rapid reinforcement of defensive positions. Plans will also be drawn up to prepare key transport arteries – roads, railways and bridges – for rapid and effective disruption, in order to delay any potential enemy advance.

As part of the continued reinforcement of the eastern border, the delivery of anti-mobility material to temporary sites has been done, from where it is further deployed in the field.

In 2024, during the NAMEJS training, the NAF, in cooperation with the State Border Guard, began deploying the purchased anti-mobility materials in the field, primarily for road blocking, as well as for strengthening the infrastructure of border control points and border guard units with fortifications. In 2025, the deployment of material and technical resources will continue. 

On January 14, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers approved an action plan for economic growth and security enhancement in Latvia's eastern border region for 2025–2027, which also provides for significant investment in the defense sector. As part of the plan to strengthen the eastern border, border infrastructure will be developed creating 25 anti-mobility material parks, which will not only increase the capacity for deploying material and technical resources and combat equipment, but will also provide more than 100 jobs for local residents. The military bases of the National Armed Forces will also be upgraded.

The Ministry of Defence thanks the local authorities and appreciates their support in coordinating the sites.

The Ministry of Defence invites local companies to keep an eye on the Ministry of Defence website, where all forthcoming anti-mobility activities will be updated, including technical specifications for anti-mobility materials and the announcement of uponcoming procurements.