Four kilometres of anti-tank ditch dug and "dragon's teeth" installed on Baltic Defence Line
Along Latvia's eastern border, a four-kilometre anti-tank ditch has been dug and "dragon's teeth" barriers installed over five kilometres as part of the Baltic Defence Line's first stage. The works are run by the state real estate company VNĪ on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
In the first stage of the Baltic Defence Line along Latvia's eastern border, an anti-tank ditch four kilometres long has been dug so far, and "dragon's teeth" – concrete obstacles meant to stop vehicles – have been installed along a five-kilometre section. The news agency LETA was told this by the state-owned company Valsts nekustamie īpašumi (VNĪ), which manages state property and leads construction in the project. The infrastructure is meant to hinder the movement of military equipment near the borders with Russia and Belarus.
Scope of the first stage
The first stage covers the municipalities of Alūksne, Balvi, Ludza, Krāslava and Augšdaugava, where about 27 kilometres of anti-tank ditches are to be built and sites for materiel storage set up. Work has been under way since September on the instructions of the Ministry of Defence. VNĪ has signed contracts with five companies for this work, with a total cost of €12.98 million from the ministry's budget.
Next steps
Price surveys have also been opened for the next tasks, which cover about 62 more kilometres of infrastructure. Eight bids were received, and contracts are to be signed in November. All construction is due to be finished by the end of 2027. VNĪ says it regularly coordinates the work with local governments and entrepreneurs, and contractors are obliged to prevent damage to access roads and drainage systems.
Border fence and monitoring
Under VNĪ's leadership, additional border fence infrastructure is also being built on the more difficult stretches along the Russian border, covering about 41.26 kilometres. Patrol paths will be built, including a 2.9-kilometre pontoon path by Lake Peitelis, an observation tower near Lake Zilezers, a boat launch site, and a level crossing and access road at the Opoļi border guard unit. This work is planned for completion by the end of 2026, and in some sections by the end of 2027.
Meanwhile, the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre is introducing smart technologies so that the entire land border is equipped by the end of 2026.
