The construction of the Baltic Defence Line in Latvia could take a decade, Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spruds estimated, LETA reports. He noted that the project would entail significant costs, which were currently being assessed. The government will have to align the costs with other national priorities, the minister said. Earlier, Baltic defence ministers signed…
The decision of the three Baltic States to build a “Baltic defence line” is preparation for a possible Russian attack, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis stated, BNS reports. He said that the move served as a political message, seeking to draw the attention of allies to the threat posed by Russia. “If Russia is not…
Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spruds expressed scepticism about the idea of creating an “EU army,” LSM reported. Latvia’s position was that NATO was irreplaceable and constituted the cornerstone of European security, Spruds stated. He pointed out that NATO united most EU countries as well as non-EU countries, insisting that there was no need to duplicate…
Lithuania needs all types of weapons for defence, including tanks and drones, defence chief General Valdemaras Rupsys stated, BNS reports. The Lithuanian Armed Forces (LGP) has to have the capability to counterattack and take over targets, he stressed. This will require mechanised and tank units, Rupsys explained. Earlier, Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas announced that Lithuania…
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said that there was “nothing personal” in his decision not to invite Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis to a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Presidential Palace on 10 January 2024, BNS reports. He said that the meeting focused on military aid and defence industry cooperation, and that Defence Minister…
Lithuania will purchase multifunctional artillery radar systems from the Dutch defence contractor, Thales Nederland, for EUR 126.7mn, BNS reports. The first Thales GM200 MM/C radar systems are due to be delivered by 2026. The agreement includes cooperation in multifunctional radar support between Lithuania and the Netherlands, with potential involvement of the Lithuanian defence industry in…
Estonia’s Minister of Defence, Hanno Pevkur, said that the Estonian Defence Forces believed that the country’s defence spending could rise to 4.5% of GDP, ERR reports. However, Pevkur emphasised the need for a “reasonable limit” due to investments in health care, social welfare, and education. He acknowledged the desire for increased spending on defence given…
Russia’s Ministry of Interior has placed Kamile Seraite, member of the city council of the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, on its wanted list, BNS reports, citing Russian independent media outlet Mediazona. Seraite has campaigned for the removal of Soviet-era monuments and street names in Vilnius. She chairs the city’s Historical Memory Commission, which is in charge…
The Balticconnector gas pipeline between Estonia and Finland was damaged deliberately by human activity, Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur stated, ERR reports. The undersea gas pipeline was closed due to a leak. Pictures taken at the scene indicated that the damage was done by “something greater than a diver or unmanned submersible,” Pevkur said. He…