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Lithuania and Poland invest in countermobility, military mobility and fuel reserves together

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2025-08-01
Acquisitions and infrastructure development | International cooperation | Security and defense policy

Vice Ministers of National Defence of Lithuania Tomas Godliauskas and Orijana Mašalė with Vice Minister of National Defence of Poland Cezary Tomczyk discussed strategic military mobility projects aimed to improve force movement in the region and strengthen defence of NATO's intern flank at a meeting in Vilnius. They also discussed the East Shield and Baltic Defence Line, unified NATO fuel reserve system and infrastructure development, including Rūdninkai Campus, the largest infrastructure project for the military Lithuania has ever undertaken.

"Together with the other Baltic Allies, Lithuania and Poland are working hard to add the East Shield and Baltic Defence Line agendas in European Union priorities. We not only seek EU ReArm funding but also assess the EU Multiannual Financial Framework prospects," said Vice Minister of National Defence T. Godliauskas visiting the countermobility equipment park at the Rūdninkai Training Area.

Lithuania plans dedicating EUR 1.1 billion over the period of 10 years to strengthen the countermobility arsenal. Back in June, Heads of State of the Baltic countries and Poland sent a letter to the European Commission noting the project as a priorities for the whole Europe. In July, Ministers of Defence of the Baltic states and Poland propose to the European Commission the concept of defence of the Eastern EU borders, including the required defence capabilities and funding request.

"We want to demonstrate that the East Shield and the Baltic Defence Line are actually one project to all of us. The Polish and Lithuanian borders is not just our but also EU and NATO border. The whole EU needs to recognize that and commit investment from EU programs," Vice Minister of National Defence of Poland C. Tomczyk said.

Vice Minister of National Defence O. Mašalė responsible for military infrastructure development coordination underscored the importance of a secure fuel supply. "NATO's fuel supply chain was established in 1958 to ensure provision for NATO forces in case of crises. We attach importance to having a fuel supply system tied to Poland, it is a critical factor in effective and quick supply for Allied troops."

O. Mašalė also stressed that Lithuania and Poland respected shared values and invited the Polish business to invest in Lithuania. "There is plenty of opportunity for the Polish business to partner with companies here in Lithuania at the moment, to place bids. Development of military infrastructure is a responsibility of the governments but also of business. Moreover, it is an excellent opportunity for business development and national economy growth," Vice Minister noted.

Vice Ministers of both countries also discussed potential joint acquisition of drones and anti-tank mines in the framework of the EU SAFE, as well as military mobility corridors in the EU and NATO, Poland's rotation of the NATO Air Policing mission flown from Šiauliai, and other joint projects of the respective Armed Forces, support to Ukraine and the transatlantic cooperation. Lithuania and Poland are at the top of the EU defence spending list and have committed to increase it to 5% of GDP in 2026, way past the NATO standard.

Lithuania will be conducting an intense development of countermobility arsenal until 2028, taking full advantage of all the EU financing opportunities. In 20229, the long-term maintenance and upgrading phase will begin.

Lithuania has already established 27 engineering equipment parks containing "dragon teeth", "Czech hedgehogs", concrete road barriers and other means, on the border with Russia and Belarus. Other countermobility measures implemented include irrigation ditches in the areas bordering Belarus, development of woodland patches and alleys, fortification of fording sites in Nemunas River on the border with Russia.

All the measures are an important part of the defence concept of the eastern EU border and an integral part of the NATO defence plans which enhances the deterrence and defence potential of the country. In case of aggression, it will block and slow down the aggressor.