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NATO has deployed three E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft to Lithuania to reinforce the aerial defense in the eastern flank. Simultaneously, the Lithuanian government announced a $1.1 billion project to fortify its borders with Russia and Belarus, primarily through the purchase and installation of antitank mines.

Operating from the strategically critical Siauliai Air Base in northern Lithuania, the AWACS aircraft will monitor the Baltic Sea and support allied operations across the region.

This deployment represents a marked escalation in NATO’s surveillance and rapid-response capabilities in the face of increasing threats along the alliance’s eastern border. “Šiauliai Air Base plays a key role in supporting Allied forces and rotational Air Policing capabilities. Its infrastructure boosts NATO’s air power, interoperability, and deterrence in response to the evolving geopolitical environment,” NATO said in a statement.

The AWACS aircraft, known for their distinctive rotating radar domes, offer unparalleled aerial surveillance and command functionalities. Capable of detecting, tracking, identifying, and reporting aircraft flying at low altitudes within a range of approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles), these platforms are central to NATO’s modern air defense doctrine.

Crucially, the E-3A AWACS also provides coordination for allied fighter jets and monitors maritime contacts. The information it gathers is shared in near real-time through digital links with command centers and platforms across all domains, air, land, and sea. According to NATO, “The presence of the aircraft in Siauliai ensures continuity of operations and demonstrates Allied readiness.”

This latest deployment is not merely about deterrence, it also includes training missions that allow NATO crews to sharpen their skills in rapid-response scenarios and deepen interoperability across member states. The move reinforces NATO’s commitment to defend its eastern members and maintain stability in the region.

Laying mines along the border

The NATO mission coincides with a significant Lithuanian defense initiative. On May 5, Lithuania’s Ministry of Defense announced plans to invest over $1.1 billion over the next decade to fortify its borders with Belarus and Russia, areas seen as potential flashpoints in the event of military aggression.

Of this investment, more than $858 million will be used to acquire antitank mines and supporting systems. The remaining funds will be directed toward enhancing the country’s electronic warfare capabilities, purchasing counter-drone systems, strengthening early-warning networks, and improving mine-clearance technologies.

“Counter-mobility measures are an important part of our national defense concept… In the event of aggression, they would allow blocking and slowing down the actions of hostile states against Lithuania,” the Ministry of Defense stated.

This initiative is part of a broader regional defense strategy. Lithuania, in concert with Estonia and Latvia, is spearheading the Baltic Defense Line project, which seeks to construct a coordinated chain of engineering barriers to deter and delay potential enemy incursions into NATO territory.

“Intensive work is underway to identify the geographical points where the countries’ engineering barriers need to converge to ensure the integrity of the Baltic Defense Lines,” the ministry emphasized.

The Lithuanian move also aligns with a controversial pivot away from prior treaty obligations. Lithuania, along with Latvia, Estonia, and Poland, recently announced its intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use and stockpiling of anti-personnel landmines.

This decision mirrors developments in neighboring countries. Latvia’s parliament voted to leave the Ottawa Convention last month, while Finland declared its withdrawal on April 1. Defense officials in both countries have defended their decisions, arguing that current security challenges necessitate more flexible and robust defense postures.

Concerns about landmines

Deployment of landmines in conflict zones has drawn criticism from international human rights organizations, who warn of the long-term dangers posed by unexploded ordnance. Such munitions can remain lethal for decades, posing persistent threats to civilian populations even after conflicts have ended.

Despite the controversy, Baltic leaders argue that the measures are necessary in the face of an increasingly assertive Russia and ongoing military developments near their borders. With NATO reinforcing its air and surveillance capabilities and Lithuania investing heavily in physical border defenses, the message from the Baltic states is clear: deterrence is the new priority.

Together, these actions mark a significant evolution in NATO’s eastern defense strategy and Lithuania’s national security policy, signaling a unified and fortified front at a time of heightened uncertainty across Europe.