"We need to do this on our side, and then discuss with our neighbors the possibilities of expansion."
Vice Minister of Defense Bronys Beniuskas says that Poland is also considering the possibility of creating a military range on its territory, which would allow for closer cooperation with Lithuania. According to him, there are virtually no examples of such joint interaction in Europe.
"Together with our Polish allies, we will discuss expansion; the Poles also see the possibility of creating a range on their territory. There are no similar examples in Europe," said Beniuskas.
The vice minister made this statement on Monday in the Lazdijai district during a meeting with residents of Kapčiamiestis, arguing for the necessity of establishing a range specifically in this town.
As Beniuskas later explained, Poland does not rule out the possibility of creating a range on its territory after Lithuania demonstrates progress in establishing the facility in Kapčiamiestis.
"We need to do this on our side, and then discuss with our neighbors the possibilities of expansion. I think you will hear news in January, as the minister will meet with his Polish counterpart and they will address this issue," noted the vice minister.
He added that the military of both countries must decide how to combine the ranges or ensure their effective proximity in the border area.
Last week, after the State Defense Council (VGT) announced plans to create a brigade-sized range in Kapčiamiestis, presidential advisor Deividas Matulionis emphasized that the defense of the Suwalki Corridor will receive special attention from Lithuania, Poland, and NATO. The Ministry of National Defense also noted that the range at the border "opens up opportunities for cooperation with the army of the neighboring country."
"Probably, in the border strip — the military should say here, both our Lithuanian army and the Polish — how they see the possibilities of combining the ranges or their location in close proximity to each other," Beniuskas noted.
Last Monday, after the State Defense Council announced plans to create a brigade-sized range in Kapčiamiestis, presidential advisor Deividas Matulionis stated that the defense of the Suwalki Corridor will receive special attention from Lithuania, Poland, and NATO.
The Ministry of Defense also reported that the range near the Polish border "in the future opens up opportunities for interaction with the army of the neighboring country."
Additionally, Beniuskas tried to convince residents with the argument that the range in Kapčiamiestis would create a deterrent effect for Belarus, which has the Hozhsky range nearby. He emphasized that there are virtually no 15,000 hectares of state land necessary for the range in other parts of Lithuania.
A law must be passed to establish the range. According to the vice minister, this will be done in the spring.
An investment of 100 million euros is planned for the range.
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