Mine and sensor systems / day are planned to buy the eastern border of Latvia this year

Today, a press conference on the progress of the Baltic Defense line was held in Zilupe, attended by Minister of Defense and Commander of the National Armed Forces (NAF) Major General Kaspars Pudāns.

Sprud pointed out that the ongoing works in Zilupe were part of the Baltic defense line, which in 2024 has a total of € 303 million.

The minister emphasized that the purpose of the line construction is to block, divert and destroy the potential invader, and nowadays everything is being done so that the armed forces can defend the country and its people at once.

Last year, anti -mobility obstacles were purchased and partially deployed, but this year it is planned to buy mines, sensor systems. From the East Border Military Strengthening and Anti -Mobilicity Plan this year, the 45 million euros, ten million are allocated to the Border Guard to strengthen the border’s supervision and security, the minister said.

The government is also in the last phase of coordination on the anti -mechanical infrastructure bill, which will facilitate construction and other legal aspects, Sprud explained. The Minister admitted that the bill would not take much time.

Alongside the external border of the land, work is also underway to improve air protection capabilities, which has already been signed last year for the purchase of an anti -aircraft defense system, as well as several research project contracts with the domestic industry on the development of manageable missiles, the development of electronic warfare and the development of drugs.

The Minister noted that there is still a need to dispose of individual plots in order to build all the necessary infrastructure.

Pudan, on the other hand, pointed out that buying an air defense system is an important factor in improving security. He also stressed that so far a great deal of work has been done to strengthen the land border.

Currently, there are dozens of areas that will need to be disposed of at the border, but the list may be supplemented, as the situation changes and the armed forces evaluate the need for the area to strengthen defense capabilities, Pudan said, adding that any member of the public and the private sector can be involved.

It has already been reported that the NAF is continuing the implementation of the military strengthening and anti -mobility plan of the eastern border, with EUR 45 million this year.

This year it is planned to purchase anti -mobility obstacles, sensors, artillery systems, mentioning equipment, as well as support for the State Border Guard. Engineering resources will also be built in the eastern region of Vidzeme.

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) promises that the purchase of anti -manual structures from local entrepreneurs will continue.

By implementing a military strengthening and anti -mobility plan, the ability of the armed forces has already been increased to limit the ability of the opponent’s land forces to cross the national border by creating obstacles and blocking certain paths.

Currently, the 400 -kilometer Russia and the Belarusian border survey and the placement of obstacles are ongoing.

In the coming years, protective posts with reinforced structures and fortifications, obstacle lines and sensors, as well as ammunition and mine warehouses will be created.

For a more efficient development of the Baltic defense line, the MoD has prepared the infrastructure of anti -mobility and mobility measures.

The draft law defines a specific legal framework for the placement of material and technical means necessary for anti -mobility and mobility measures, the construction of infrastructure and the alienation of real estate in the border area.

For example, in order to ensure the creation of anti -mobility and mobility infrastructure, all necessary work, namely design, construction and related services, materials, equipment and technical provision, as well as other goods and services will be purchased without public procurement regulation.

The draft law, among other things, stipulates that the placement of material and technical means for anti -mobility and mobility measures and the construction of infrastructure shall not apply to the requirements of regulatory enactments regulating construction, as well as forest management, tree felling and environmental protection requirements.