Germany joins construction of Poland's eastern shield

German military engineers have joined the construction of Poland's Eastern Shield defensive line along the country's borders with Russia and Belarus, Germany's armed forces (Bundeswehr) have stated.

The Bundeswehr said an enhanced engineering platoon arrived in Poland in early July to work alongside the Polish military on anti-tank ditches, anti-tank barriers, field fortifications and defensive positions, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

It noted that the initiative is intended to slow any potential military incursion and improve the response capability of Polish and NATO forces in the event of a conflict.

"This deployment marks the first practical international assistance we have received for implementing the project," Polish Armed Forces spokesperson Colonel Marek Pietrzak told DPA.

According to Polish officials, the German contingent consists of several dozen military engineers stationed at the Polish Army's training centre in Bemowo Piskie, in the Masurian region. The mission is initially scheduled to run until the end of October.

Poland announced plans to build fortifications along its borders with Russia and Belarus in May 2024. The Eastern Shield programme, valued at 10 billion zlotys (about $2.5 billion), is expected to be completed by 2028.

The project includes anti-tank ditches, minefields, anti-tank obstacles and an active surveillance system. Construction began along the border with Russia's Kaliningrad region in November 2024, with the first section completed later that month, including the installation of 3,500 concrete anti-tank obstacles.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov