along its borders with Russia and Belarusin an effort to protect NATO’s eastern flankas tensions simmer amid the war in Ukraine.
The 400-mile (643 km) construction will include anti-tank fortifications, bunkers and other barriers built to physically defend the border and control movement at a time when US support for Europe’s defense is expected to decline as Donald Trump takes over duties in January.
Trump, who last week won the US presidential election, has repeatedly stated that he will “end” Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on his first day in office, adding that he also plans to cut aid to Kiev, despite the US being a top economic and military backer.
His team is also said to have considered the idea of creating a 1,287km buffer zone along the front line, which would be manned by EU and UK troops.
Polish soldiers operate armored fighting tanks during the defense program’s “Shield East” military exercise at the ground forces training ground in Orzysz, northern Poland, on October 14.
EPA
Anti-drone systems and state-of-the-art surveillance technologies, supported by artificial intelligence for early detection of threats, they will also protect Poland from the threats posed by modern warfare.
In addition, the “shield” will also include a satellite section in order to provide “another element of security in space”, said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, in order to prepare the country for “the wars of the future”.
The fortifications are designed to fend off potential threats from “the enemy”, Tusk said earlier this year, with the heavily militarized Russian enclave of Kaliningrad in the north is seen as a growing threat to the West.
According to details provided by the government, the program, perhaps the most significant national security investment in Poland’s post-war history, will use modern surveillance equipment, including image intelligence (IMINT), signal intelligence (SIGINT) and acoustic surveillance to improving situational awareness.
The Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk
EPA
The multi-layered line of defense is expected to it is about 200 meters deepconsisting of fences, trenches and minefields.
A high border fence will be the first obstacle for any intruders, followed by barbed wire and anti-tank ditches.
Obstacles will also be installed, such as “dragon’s teeth” – pointed concrete towers used to stop the movement of armored vehicles.
Shelters and underground shelters will also be hidden within forests to protect those within the borders in the event of a defense failure.
The project was announced in response in Russia’s war in Ukraine and in what the Polish government describes as “hybrid warfare” tactics by Belarus and Russia.
These include increasing migrant pressure on the eastern border, with Warsaw arguing that Minsk and Moscow may be colluding to funnel asylum seekers west, burdening Western countries and fueling divisive rhetoric.
“Borders cannot be crossed with impunity… Russia and Belarus are behind this process and the whole world is calling it a hybrid war. We will not back downTusk said in July.
“We are doing this to deter the enemy, so that all who wish Poland evil, all who are planning an attack, an attack against our allies or against our country, will hear today here, from the central market square of Krakow: stay away from Poland!’ Tusk said at an event to launch the initiative in May.
He added: “Poland is strong, Poland will be safe thanks to its own actions and thanks to its own allies.”
Poland has the highest military spending per GDP of any NATO member country, according to a recent report by the defense alliance. Its ambitious plan is due to be completed by 2028.
With information from Daily Mail
