Faced with growing geopolitical tensions on Europe’s eastern flank, Estonia and Latvia are taking a decisive step in securing their territory by deploying hundreds of bunkers along their borders with Russia and Belarus.
Under the auspices of the Estonian Defence Investment Centre (RKIK) and the Latvian Ministry of Defence, a joint tender has just been launched for the large-scale acquisition of 600 prefabricated concrete bunkers, the central pillars of what experts are now calling the « Baltic defense line. »
This massive project, designed to deter any ground incursion and protect military units in the event of a high-intensity conflict, involves the installation of structures capable of withstanding heavy artillery fire while remaining discreetly integrated into the natural landscape.
Each bunker, with a capacity to accommodate about ten soldiers, will be equipped with communication systems and storage areas, forming an interconnected network of strategic strongpoints.
Beyond physical fortifications, this system also includes preparation areas for the rapid deployment of anti-tank mines, barbed wire, and « dragon’s teeth, » transforming the border area into a virtually impassable obstacle for armored vehicles.
By coordinating their efforts and budgets, Tallinn and Riga are not simply responding with a conventional defensive measure, but are demonstrating full military solidarity within NATO, aiming to guarantee the integrity of the Schengen Area in the face of a threat perceived as existential by the Baltic republics.