Lithuania has successfully finished construction of a new anti-tank weapons range at the Rūdninkai military training ground, which cost €1.08m. On Friday, the Ministry of National Defence said it has finished the facility, which is a major step in the nation’s defense build-up.

The newly completed site is fully capable of carrying out heavy military exercises. It has two firing positions, one observation tower to strategically position for the fire, and a protective safety embankment. In addition to these, the complex consists of the necessary supporting facilities such as an access road, shelter for platoon units, secure ammunition distribution areas, and parking facilities.

Bolstering Defense with Expanded Military Infrastructure

The main mission of the new complex is to significantly boost the operational and collective defense readiness of the Armed Forces of Lithuania and its partners. Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas noted that this range is the result of an overall quick growth of Lithuania’s military presence.

We are passing another important milestone at Rūdninkai military training base, conditions are being created for our soldiers, German brigade, and our allies to undergo military training at the anti-tank range, Kaunas said.

The military campus in Rūdninkai, which is located in the district of Šalčininkai, is being transformed at an enormous scale and is being managed by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. One of the key goals of this expansion is to make the base capable of supporting a permanent deployment of around 5,000 soldiers from the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) by 2027.

This huge number of soldiers and vehicles will be accommodated throughout a phased development of the campus. Eika Construction is implementing the first construction phase, worth €125 million.

The far more extensive second phase is being delivered via an extensive public-private partnership, which costs some €1.3 billion. The project is being developed by the ambitious company Rudina (managed by Fegda and Conres LT) in cooperation with Merko Statyba.