In addition to ammunition and new weapons, Estonia will significantly enhance its intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities in the coming years, said Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur (Reform). From 2025 to 2028, Estonia will invest nearly €6.4 billion in the defense sector. At a government press conferenceContinue Reading
Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) Commander Gen. Martin Herem said during a visit to Japan that Estonia should double what it spends on national defense in the next two years in order to stockpile enough munitions for a possible conflict with Russia. Herem said that head of the Russian regime VladimirContinue Reading
This Friday, March 15, marks the inauguration of the €6.2 million NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence’s new building in Tallinn. The center provides facilities needed for the day-to-day work of cyber experts from almost 40 nations. “The fact that the NATO CCDCOE is the only center of excellenceContinue Reading
Ukraine has recently reported a number of Russian aircraft shot down or rendered unusable. With this, Ukraine may be creating conditions for the deployment of new aircraft soon to be received from the West, said Air Force Chief of Staff Col. Janek Lehiste. Lehiste told ERR’s “Ukraina stuudio” that theContinue Reading
After long resistance from Turkey and the end of Hungary’s stalling tactics, Sweden will become a member of NATO. Experts say this will make it easier to plan for security in the Baltic Sea, but could also leave the Baltic states on the border between the two commands. Sweden’s accessionContinue Reading
Opposition politicians appearing on ETV politics panel show “Esimene stuudio” Wednesday were critical of the climate ministry’s change of heart on support for wind energy in Estonia. The ministry says it will be supporting offshore wind farm development to the tune of €200 million. A ministry-published plan last October statedContinue Reading
NATO’s ability to protect the Baltic Sea and underwater infrastructure will significantly increase when Sweden joins the alliance, said Commodore Jüri Saska, commander of the Estonian Navy on Monday. However, as cooperation is already close, it may not improve significantly. When Sweden becomes a NATO member, it will bring additionalContinue Reading
Indirect fire is the main cause of casualties in Ukraine where the situation remains arduous, Col. Eero Rebo, head of the Defense League Headquarters, told Vikerraadio. “The situation on the front is difficult and intense. One indicator of the latter is the sides’ ability to fire shells. Artillery fire isContinue Reading
Those European countries lagging behind on defense and security commitments should hike their domestic taxation to finance higher spending in this area, former president Kersti Kaljulaid says. Kaljulaid attended last weekend’s Munich Security Conference and appeared on ETV politics show “Esimene stuudio” Wednesday evening. “We have done surprisingly little,” sheContinue Reading
More than 1,000 troops from the UK, U.S., and France were given medals for serving with NATO forces in Estonia on Wednesday. Mission medals were presented to: the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers from the United Kingdom, the 1st Infantry Regiment (1er régiment d’infanterie) participating in Mission Lynx fromContinue Reading