{"id":65107,"date":"2023-06-13T14:55:43","date_gmt":"2023-06-13T14:55:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2023\/06\/13\/estonias-global-arms-buying-spree-seeks-drastic-combat-gains\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T00:54:49","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T00:54:49","slug":"estonias-global-arms-buying-spree-seeks-drastic-combat-gains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/europe\/2023\/06\/13\/estonias-global-arms-buying-spree-seeks-drastic-combat-gains\/","title":{"rendered":"Estonia\u2019s global arms buying spree seeks drastic combat gains"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Editor\u2019s Note: This article has been updated to more accurately describe the Estonian government\u2019s policy change.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MILAN \u2014 Estonian officials have announced what could prove to be the most expensive defense investments ever made by the Baltic country, as leaders embark on an updated modernization plan shaped in large part by Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to figures<\/a> presented by the defense ministry in Tallinn, the government wants to spend roughly $14.5 billion over the next ten years, a sum derived from a new threat assessment of Estonia\u2019s wider environs, the Baltic Sea region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The spending would increase Estonia\u2019s share of defense spending to to 3% of gross domestic product for 2024-2027, up from approximately 2.85% this year. An additional $1.1 billion has also been allocated to the budget specifically for ammunition. Overall, the financial distribution of military costs for 2023-2026 foresees that 54% will be spent on procurement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gen. Martin Herem, the commander of Estonia\u2019s forces, ticked off a wish list of weapons during a press conference last Friday that are already, or will be, part of the country\u2019s National Defence Development Plan 2022-2031.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A number of the listed acquisitions come from Israeli manufacturers. These include the Harpy long-range loitering munitions, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which Estonia will start to receive next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the announcement of that contract earlier last month, Estonian defense minister Hanno Pevkur stated that the addition of such weapons to their arsenal was critical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe importance of indirect fire cannot be overestimated, since Russia has caused much of the destruction in Ukraine through this. \u2026 Their introduction [will] allow us to attack the enemy from a longer distance,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Estonia will also acquire additional anti-tank capabilities over the next two years, including the Spike missile, in the short-range version for its brigades and long-range model for its territorial defense. Made by Israel\u2019s Rafael, the weapon is sold in Europe by Eurospike GmbH, whose shareholders are Diehl Defence, Rheinmetall Electronics and Rafael-owned ERCAS BV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for the Estonian Navy, Herem mentioned that the anti-ship \u201cBlue Spear\u201d land-to-sea missiles will be used for coastal defense. The weapons are slated for delivery by the end of 2023 and ready for use in the first half of next year. The missile is a product of Proteus Advanced Systems, a joint venture between IAI and Singapore\u2019s ST Engineering Land Systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notably, the Estonian government last year changed its policy toward Israel by deciding to no longer vote for UN resolutions condemning Israel\u2019s actions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. At the time, the move was largely deemed by analysts as an attempt by the Baltic country to align itself further with the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\t