German Military Helps Poland Build East Shield Fortification System

German servicemen have joined the implementation of Poland’s East Shield program.

The General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces reported this.

The program involves the construction of a system of engineering obstacles and fortifications along Poland’s borders with Russia and Belarus.

It is aimed at strengthening Poland’s defense infrastructure as part of the broader effort to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank.

“At the invitation of Poland, Bundeswehr soldiers are supporting the implementation of the East Shield program. The German subunit, together with soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces, is executing engineering tasks to strengthen defensive infrastructure on NATO’s northeastern flank,” the statement reads.

The Polish Ministry of National Defense noted that the work is a response to the deterioration of the security situation following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

East Shield

Poland began construction of the East Shield fortification system in October 2024.

The program includes the construction of a comprehensive system of engineering obstacles and barriers, as well as storage facilities on designated land plots, the procedures for which are currently underway.

In February 2025, the first section of the East Shield, 2.3 km long, was completed ahead of schedule and equipped at strategic border crossings that were not identified.

As of mid-July 2026, Poland had built 61 km of defensive lines under the program along the border with the Russian Federation and Belarus. Of this, fortification lines account for only about 10 km. At the same time, only 1 km has been equipped over the past six months.

According to Defence24, the Polish Ministry of National Defense will allocate about EUR 150 million for the implementation of the program in 2026.

In total, the East Shield is expected to cover a border section of almost 700 km, of which 400-500 km should be protected by various types of fortifications, while the remainder will be covered by natural barriers.