Baltic defences: Latvia tests border fortifications with T‑55 relics
Latvian armed forces conducted tests on fortifications built on the border with Russia. A video released online featuring a T-55 tank caught the attention of some media outlets, which reminds us that despite recent investments in army modernisation, in certain respects, the smallest Baltic states are still reliant on NATO. This includes, for example, tanks.
The Ukrainian portal Defence Express, specialising in military matters, notes that Lithuania and Estonia do not possess tanks at all. In the case of Latvia, the army only has three T-55 tanks, which were acquired for free from Denmark in the year 2000. This is a result of the Baltic states' approach, which, over the years, did not hurry to purchase tanks because they believed that other NATO member states had sufficient reserves of heavy weaponry to protect Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia in the event of Russian aggression. The war in Ukraine has caused this approach to be reconsidered.
Tests of Latvian border fortifications
The video material from the Latvian armed forces focuses on so-called "dragon's teeth." These are characteristic fortifications that all Baltic states have been placing on the borders with Russia in recent months.
These types of constructions are intended to serve mainly as barriers for tanks. However, the T-55 should be regarded more as a relic than a tank with real combat value. It's a Soviet design, which was introduced into service as far back as 1958. It has an engine with 580 horsepower, a 100mm calibre cannon, and two machine guns. By today's standards, the T-55 not only fails to provide the necessary situational awareness (due to the lack of modern sensors and optics) on the battlefield and the necessary firepower, but it also has such weak armour that the crew is not even protected against drones.
In the case of Latvia, it is not even clear whether the local army has ammunition for the three T-55 tanks. It is possible that they now serve only as armoured vehicles.
NATO tanks in the Baltic states
More modern tanks appear in the Baltic states mainly as part of the so-called NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP). In Latvia, Polish PT-91 "Twardy" tanks are currently stationed, which will soon be replaced by Leopard 2PLs. They will join, among others, Canadian Leopard 2A4Ms.
At the beginning of October, the Lithuanian authorities confirmed preparations to purchase German Leopard 2A8 tanks. Earlier, the Netherlands, long without tanks, made a similar decision and will begin rebuilding its armoured forces by acquiring these same machines.
