Much of the investment will go towards bolstering its air defence and ammunition.  

Estonia will invest over EUR10 billion into defence over the next four years as part of a new spending plan, a 30 July announcement from Estonia’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has revealed.  

Approved by Estonia’s Minister of Defence, Hanno Pevkur, the ‘Development Plan for the Ministry of Defence’s Area of Governance 2026–2029’ (KMAK) allocates funds across a broad range of areas, including air defence and uncrewed systems.  

In a bid to bolster air defence, the military will establish a new ‘Air Defence Brigade’ and expand its layered air defence capabilities by acquiring additional IRIS-T, Piorun, and Mistral systems along with associated munitions. 

Complementing these acquisitions, the military will also conduct market research for a ballistic missile defence capability this year. 

In addition, up to EUR150 million will go towards acquiring drones, uncrewed systems, and countermeasures, as part of an “emphasis on acquiring modern capabilities,” Pevkur said. 

Another priority involves developing a new comprehensive capability combining drone detection; countermeasures; and strike, reconnaissance, and surveillance systems, which will be integrated into tactical operations from squad to division level. 

The KMAK plan will also cover an increase in funding for the Estonian Defence League, a voluntary national defence organisation, from EUR240 million in the previous four-year period to EUR314 million for the next.  

This boost in spending will go towards improving infrastructure and live-fire training conditions, the Estonian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. 

Other spending included the MoD committing around a quarter of the total EUR10 billion investment to ammunition stockpiles.  

“With this new development plan, we are building a modern Defence Forces that will work closely with our allies to strengthen deterrence by 2029 and ensure the ability to counter threats before they reach Estonian territory,” Pevkur said. 

Efforts to begin the capability acquisitions outlined have already begun according to Pevkur, and Estonia’s Centre for Defence Investments has completed a procurement roadmap for the delivery of these capabilities over the next four years. 

These latest commitments build on Estonia’s ‘National Defence Development Plan 2031’, which was unveiled in 2021 and revealed plans to increase the size of the Estonian Defence Forces, among other things. 

DSEI Gateway News is part of DSEI UK and the broader Clarion Defence portfolio. 
Enjoy reading this article?  Click here to read more about our upcoming DSEI membership offering...