Reinforcing the border

Should Estonia face migratory pressure, the primary objective of the PBGB is to prevent illegal border crossings.

This border protection exercise conducted during the additional reservist training will provide valuable experience and insight into the joint capability of the Defence Forces and the Police and Border Guard Board to erect temporary barriers at the border, as well as what kind of logistical support and human resources are needed.

The PBGB will continue with the border construction project regardless of the installation of temporary barriers. Physical barriers need to be accompanied by the entire border infrastructure with surveillance equipment in order to prevent mass immigration and protect the border. We are already using technical equipment (including cameras, drones, radars) and patrols to guard the eastern border. About 25 kilometres of the eastern border are currently equipped with a border fence. Lake Peipus is also fully covered by surveillance equipment, which gives border guards a good overview of what is happening on the transboundary water body. A further 40 kilometres of the border are covered by construction contracts, while construction will begin there in the coming months.