Estonia procures large quantities of ammunitions and weapons to strengthen defense capabilities

Europe, News December 22, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Estonia’s Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur revealed on December 19, 2023, that the Northern European nation has procured large quantities of ammunition and weapon systems to boost defense capabilities.

Pevkur said during a press conference that about a hundred truckloads of ammunition have arrived in Estonia in 2023 alone, this demonstrates the country’s rapid military modernization amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and growing security threats to Europe.

“The rapid development of Estonia’s national defense is unavoidable because of the complex security situation caused by Russia’s war of aggression. This year for the first time Estonian taxpayers have entrusted more than 1 billion euros to military defense, more than half of which has been channeled into procurements to directly increase our defense capabilities,” Pevkur said.

The Estonian defense minister added that the country’s independent defense capability is supported by its NATO membership. “We have signed a ten-year cooperation agreement with the United Kingdom, the lead country of the NATO Battlegroup in Estonia, France has made its presence in Estonia permanent and we have units from the United States, the world’s strongest military force,” he added.

Estonia K9 self-propelled howitzers — ^{K9 self-propelled howitzers arrived in Estonia, after the on-site conversion, the machines will be used by the division’s artillery battalion. (Image Credit Kermo Pastarus/Estonian Ministry of Defense)}

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Estonia has taken significant measures and doubled investments in ammunition stockpiles compared to the total spending in the thirty years following the restoration of independence. “Over the next four years, about a quarter of Estonia’s defense budget will be spent on ammunition. A significant number of ammunition storage facilities will also be built,” according to the Estonian defense ministry.

The Defense Ministry statement highlighted that the country signed several major contracts in 2023, including the IRIS-T medium-range air defense system, loitering munition, and major procurements of wheeled armored vehicles and military vehicles.

Estonia has also received six additional “K9 self-propelled howitzers and naval mines,” to enhance its maritime capabilities. The Defense Ministry said in a statement that “Anti-ship missile systems are also expected soon, which will increase Estonia’s long-range precision strike capability.”

*^{Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas reviewing military equipment and stationed troops’ progress during Spring Storm Exercise. (Image Credit: Twitter/@KajaKallas)}*

Estonian Defense Forces have also witnessed an increase in wartime composition to 43,700 combatants, with a crucial emphasis on doubling territorial defense to 20,000 personnel. To achieve this objective, Estonia conducted a six-week territorial defense reservist training exercise “Ussisõnad” (Parseltongue) from August to October 2023. Estonia has also ramped up defense exercises with allied forces.

In the year 2023, Estonia provided Ukraine with 250 million Euros worth of military assistance, including weapons and defense equipment, and supported various international support initiatives for Ukraine. Pevkur highlighted that “Ukraine’s fight for freedom can only succeed if the allies continue to support the Ukrainians with real and substantial aid of 0.25 percent of gross domestic product per year. It is not just Ukraine that is at stake, but also the security of Estonia, the transatlantic community, and the wider world.”