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Poland will begin construction of the first elements of defensive fortifications on its borders with Russia and Belarus by the end of 2024 as part of the “Eastern Shield” project.
Polish Deputy Defense Minister Czesław Tomczyk during a press conference, as cited by Reuters.
Poland plans to strengthen its northern and eastern borders by establishing defense lines, surveillance systems, intelligence, and drone protection, spending around 10 billion zlotys ($2.6 billion) by the end of 2028.
“In the next three weeks, we will be able to conduct the first tests of ‘Eastern Shield’ elements on Polish military training grounds. Later this year, we will begin constructing the first elements… on the northern and eastern borders.” Czesław Tomczyk said.
According to him, the project will be developed in cooperation with Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, as well as with British and American forces.
The war in Ukraine has prompted Poland to increase its defense spending to 4.2% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024, with a planned increase to 4.7% in 2025.
Earlier, it was reported that Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland will approach the European Union for funding to build a network of bunkers, barriers, defensive lines, and military depots along their borders with Russia and Belarus. The three Baltic states announced plans for a “Baltic Defense Line” in January, and in May, Poland announced a similar project called “Eastern Shield” aimed at reinforcing its borders with Russia’s Kaliningrad region and Belarus.
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