Lithuania to stockpile anti-tank barriers for the Baltic defense line

24 November, 2024 Production of anti-tank barriers at the Gelmesta enterprise. Photo: LRT TV Lithuania is expanding the production of anti-tank barriers as part of the creation of stocks for the Baltic Defense Line.

LRT reported on this. The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence has engaged the Gelmesta company to produce hundreds of anti-tank barriers to be used to organize the defense line. As part of the so-called Baltic Defense Line, Lithuania is seeking to create special areas where mines, barbed wire, anti-tank hedgehogs, dragon's teeth, and other barriers will be installed.

Production of anti-tank barriers at Gelmesta.

Photo credits: LRT TV

"We use 12 to 15 tons of metal per day," Donatas Jankauskas, Chief Executive Officer at Gelmesta, reported. According to him, the company is capable of producing 60 dragon teeth per shift and 150-180 per day. "We can produce 60 dragon teeth per shift.

We are currently planning to modernize - if we get a bigger order, which is currently in development, we will be able to produce about 150-180 pieces per day," Jankauskas added. Due to the large orders, the company increased its staff. Supply chains were also a challenge, as it was necessary to find European subcontractors to help manufacture the metal profiles needed to build some specific barriers.

A fortified part of the border with the Kaliningrad region of Russia.

Photo credits: Lithuanian Ministry of Defense

According to the company, the standard version of the anti-tank hedgehog was modernized after consultations with the military, which made certain design changes. Currently, about 900 anti-tank barriers, including 900 anti-tank hedgehogs, have already been sent for storage in Vilnius. Militarnyi previously reported that Lithuania is testing iron anti-tank barriers that will be used alongside the "dragon's teeth" on the border with Russia.

The barriers were tested using an armored repair and recovery vehicle, Bergepanzer 2.