NEW YORK, March 12. /TASS/. The US intends to upgrade its military bases in Poland, Latvia, and Estonia.
"An Army Reserve unit has received $11.7 million to fund infrastructure improvements at bases supporting US rotational forces across Poland and the Baltic states," the Pentagon newspaper Stars and Stripes reported.
According to the newspaper, the funds will be used to expand living space for service members, modernize equipment maintenance facilities, and improve security systems. The changes will affect the Bemowo Piskie and Deba training ranges in Poland, the Adazi and Lielvarde military bases in Latvia, and two bases in Estonia.
"The BOS-I responsibility means making sure the base runs and functions the way it’s supposed to so tactical commanders can focus on their mission," said Major George Harrivel, the group engineer. "That includes things like water, life support, housing and maintenance facilities that support the tactical units."
According to Harrivel, the renovations will be carried out on a turnkey basis. "They [the troops] will be able to step in and immediately begin operations," he said. "Ideally, we want anyone who’s moving to basically walk in, get the keys to the house, unlock it and use it." "We want to make sure that when these units show up with their vehicles — whether they’re fuelers, rolling stock or tanks — the ground can support those vehicles the way it needs to," Harrivel said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly emphasized in his speeches that the development of NATO military infrastructure near Russia’s borders is a potential threat to the country’s security.