Estonia’s military spending will see a significant increase over the next four years, surpassing ten billion euros, thus exceeding the threshold of 5% of the GDP.
According to Estonia’s Minister of National Defense, Hanno Pevkur, this increase is due to the simultaneous severe international situation and Estonia’s economic growth. This is also connected to the Baltic country’s stronger desire to improve its defense and NATO’s collective defense.
The Strengthening of the Estonian Armed Forces
Notable improvements have been made by the Estonian Defense in these years with the purchase of M142 HIMARS, K9 and CASESAR heavy artillery systems, IRIS-T SLM, Mistral and Piorun air defense missile systems, and Blue Spear anti-ship missiles, a Singapore-made variant of the Israeli Gabriel V missile.
In addition, to enhance the capabilities of the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigade (the latter largely made up of reserve units), FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles, Carl Gustaf rocket launchers, Nurol NMS 4×4 and Otokar ARMA 6×6 armored vehicles, and CAVS armored vehicles closely derived from Patria were purchased.
Based on the outcomes of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Estonia has embarked on a substantial reinforcement of resources for the use of drones, UAV/UAS, and loitering munition, of which it is purchasing thousands of units, as well as for their contrast (C-UAS).
In addition, intelligence services, including satellite, electronic reconnaissance, and air traffic control, have been strengthened to prevent possible aggressions and to have more time to alert and prepare the defenses.
The Upcoming Planned Interventions
Further interventions are planned for the engineering capabilities in the counter mobility sector, air defense, and ballistic missile defense, and fire control for long-range artillery.
Between active units and the reserve, the number of trained men available to the Defense in case of an attack will rise to over fifty thousand.
The Estonian Defense plans to improve the financial treatment of volunteer, conscript, and reserve personnel, with an intervention plan also for the infrastructure.
Source and photo credit @Estonian National Defense Ministry
