Lithuania, Poland enhance military infrastructure to secure Suwałki Gap land corridor

Lithuania is intensifying efforts to secure its borders with a major upgrade of key infrastructure along the Suwałki Gap, a vital stretch of land linking Poland and Lithuania. This area, spanning 100 kilometres, is seen as one of the most likely locations for any future Russian assault on NATO and the European Union, making it a critical point for military defence.

“These roads [are] critical to us from a security and defence perspective,” said Tomas Godliauskas, Lithuania's Deputy Defence Minister, in a telephone interview with POLITICO. “They’ve always been part of our civil-military planning as key ground routes for allied support during a crisis.”

The Suwałki Gap is a sparsely populated, forested region bordered by Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, both key Russian allies. It represents one of NATO's most vulnerable corridors, linking the Baltic states to the rest of the alliance. Lithuania currently has two main routes crossing the gap: one from Kaunas to Warsaw, a part of the Via Baltica military corridor, and another between Vilnius and Augustów in Poland.

To enhance military readiness, Lithuania is working with Poland to expand its military infrastructure, particularly by upgrading the Vilnius-Augustów road to dual-use standards. This will allow both civilian and military traffic to flow more efficiently in times of conflict.

“It’s just one more option to ensure better logistics in times of need,” Godliauskas explained. The Via Baltica and the Rail Baltica line, which connects the Baltic States to Poland, already serve as primary military mobility routes. However, the upgrade will provide additional options for troop movement, goods transportation, and even civilian evacuations if needed.

This initiative is part of a larger European effort to invest in dual-use infrastructure projects that cater to both civilian and military needs. Several European countries, including Spain, Belgium, and Slovakia, are also upgrading their infrastructure. According to EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, the EU will need to invest at least €70 billion to adapt its transport networks for both military and civilian use.

In addition to improving mobility, Lithuania is considering new border security measures in the Suwałki Gap region. “Especially in the Suwałki area, there are talks about new protections along the borders with Kaliningrad and Belarus,” Godliauskas stated. The discussions include installing counter-mobility measures such as road control points and cement barriers designed to hinder any hostile movement.

“Ensuring freedom of movement for troops and goods along these roads is a priority,” he added, acknowledging that Russia is likely to view such developments as sensitive. “This is vital information, and it will be closely monitored.”

The broader project includes the reconstruction of 113 kilometres of road and the renovation of eight bridges. Deputy Transport Minister Roderikas Žiobakas indicated that the project is expected to be completed by 2028, although Godliauskas remained more cautious. “With multinational projects, things can take longer,” he said, expressing hope that geopolitical factors and Poland’s capabilities would allow for the timeline to be met.

Lithuania plans to secure EU funding for the project and will work with Poland, Estonia, and Latvia to prioritise the initiative in the EU’s upcoming multi-year budget. However, the project is not officially part of NATO or EU military mobility programs. It is being funded as a bilateral effort between Lithuania and Poland’s transport and defence ministries.

“We’ll invest in the section up to the Lithuanian border, and we’re asking Poland to upgrade their side of the Augustów road to meet military mobility standards,” Godliauskas concluded.