“Currently, we need a joint counter-mobility concept across the entire NATO eastern flank – not just in Lithuania,” R. Vaikšnoras announced on his Facebook page on Thursday.
Read more Denmark’s wind energy giant Orsted reported a drop in profits
He emphasized that this is the purpose of the US-led Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative (EFDI).
“Today I spoke about the next steps with Christopher R. Norrie, who is acting commander of the US Army in Europe and Africa,” said R. Vaikšnoras.
“It was precisely because of this project’s progress that he visited Lithuania and the region to assess the practical implementation of EFDI and possibilities for further integration,” said the military commander.
According to him, the system connecting engineering obstacles, sensors, intelligence capabilities, and drones allows the Alliance’s eastern flank to operate as a coordinated defensive area, and Lithuania “has made significant progress.”
BNS wrote that counter-mobility engineering obstacle parks at locations designated by the Lithuanian Armed Forces should be established by the end of 2028, previously planned for completion by April 2025.
The deadline was extended after increasing the number of parks from 27 to 50 in the counter-mobility measures plan, providing for a new counter-mobility zone.
Read more Roko Baciuska faces a new battle: will start on the legendary Loheac track with Sebastien Loeb
This week, the government approved the intention to form 20 and 150 meter wide zones from the patrol path boundary into Lithuanian territory along the border with Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad region.
Also, by the end of 2028, it is planned to install reserve obstacles on state-significant road sections, in approaches, prepare bridges for explosives, and by the end of 2030, restore wetlands at locations designated by the military.
According to the Ministry of National Defence’s calculations, about 50 million euros would be additionally needed from the State Defence Fund for 2026–2030 to implement the changes.
BNS reported that “dragon’s teeth,” assembled “hedgehogs,” “Spanish horses,” concrete road barriers, concertina wire, roadblocks, and marine containers are stored in parks being established near the borders with Russia and Belarus.
The Conservative government began creating counter-mobility parks in 2023, based on the experience of the war in Ukraine, which shows that such measures are effective in stopping, diverting, and dividing enemy forces.
The government resolution on the implementation of counter-mobility measures was adopted in July 2024.
Read more A ship carrying 115 tourists caught fire in Turkey
