2024-07-30 14:42:37
“This is probably where we didn’t talk the most. (…) In military circles, we don’t talk about it. Or they will be ordered – we will do that, but there is no point,” said V. Rupšys in an interview with “Verslo žiniaim”.
V. Rupšys, who finished his work in the Lithuanian army last week, believes that it makes no sense for Lithuania to fortify the entire border with Belarus and Russia.
“It would certainly be very difficult. This is a huge investment that would lead to nowhere,” he noted.
According to the former commander of the army, in this situation, it is necessary to think more wisely about strengthening the border protection. In his opinion, civil infrastructure should be properly prepared, which could be used as a counter-mobility tool if needed.
“For example, to prepare bridges, some embankments that could be destroyed, etc. – to prepare that civil infrastructure that could be made as an obstacle. Speaking of which, I fully agree where it is necessary – to plant, where it is necessary – to make some other obstacles in advance. But not like now (building – ELTA) military obstacles or mining like the border between South and North Korea,” V. Rupšys responded critically about the initiatives.
In general, he continued, the military is skeptical of border mining.
“We cannot introduce engineering obstacles, which at the same time (…) will become an obstacle for us. Maybe we will have to maneuver through that place”, observed V. Rupšys.
The general assures the Ministry of National Defense (KAM) that he himself proposed the idea of the park of engineering measures.
“I suggested – let’s establish those engineering parks, let’s accumulate all the tools there so that we don’t have to look for them. Then that investment and taking money for some hedgehogs, goats, other fortifications (ELTA will work) – we put it together and wait for that day. (…) We agree with that, but it should also be done logically enough, it should be calculated so that we don’t buy (equipment – ELTA) and then keep it unused for 20 years”, he explained.
On Monday, Minister of National Defense Laurynas Kasčiūnas announced that the first park of countermobility measures will be opened at the end of August, and from September, permanent fortification processes will be started at two border locations.
According to the MoD, a total of 27 parks of countermobility measures are to be established in the country, where the main engineering obstacles will be kept – “dragon’s teeth”, assembled “hedgehogs”, “Spanish horses”, road barriers.
Reserve barriers will also be built on roads and bridges of national importance, and avenues of trees will be planted on some road sections. In 9 bridges, it is intended to install special structures for fixing explosive materials.
In addition, restoration of 280 km of drainage ditches is being considered in the southwestern part of the country.
According to L. Kasčiūnas, 600 million will be needed for the purchase of countermobility measures within a decade. euros.
2024-07-30 14:42:37