RIGA, Dec 2 (LETA) - The Latvian army already has plans to deny mobility by rail in the face of certain threats, Kaspars Pudans, Commander of the National Armed Forces (NBS), told TV3 in an interview this morning.

Commenting on the recent discussion about the possible dismantling of the rail tracks in the eastern border area even in peacetime, Pudans noted that the issue of the tracks is only a part of the anti-mobility measures and strengthening of the Latvian border.

The NBS Commander explained that the element of surprise is in fact the only advantage Russia has left if it decides to attack NATO. Accordingly, Latvia is working in two directions - preparing carefully to avoid a surprise and "buying insurance". For example, preparation involves intelligence activities, while "insurance" in this case is the creation of obstacles where they do not interfere with social or economic aspects.

Speaking specifically about rail, Pudans noted that detailed plans have been drawn up to deny mobility by rail in certain circumstances, but that other actions could still be encouraged to further reduce the chances of surprise by an adversary.

Asked whether he supported the dismantling of the rails in peacetime, Pudans did not give a direct answer, saying that further assessment was needed, both by military experts and by representatives of other sectors.

Pudans said that new sensors and radars would be received in the coming days to better monitor the security of the eastern border.

The NBS Commander stressed that one cannot always be fully prepared for the moment of surprise of an aggressor, so, for example, in case of the first major drone attack, not all of the attacker's drones might be hit, while further down the line, NATO's retaliation would not only be against drones in the air, but would also target ground targets, drone launch sites, command centers, etc.

Pudans, on the other hand, saw the weather balloons launched from Belarus, more in Lithuania and less in Latvia as a distraction, as they cannot be used as a means of military attack because they are not steerable.