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Title: Estonia Boosts Defense Spending, Plans Major Overhaul of Air Base
In a significant move to bolster its defense capabilities, Estonia has announced a new aid package for Ukraine worth €100 million. This comes as the country continues to strengthen its own military prowess, with plans to increase its defense expenditure to at least 3% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the next two decades, aligning with NATO‘s target.
The modernization of transport vehicles and ammunition in the coming decade is estimated to cost between €4 billion and €4.5 billion, with €1.1 billion already allocated. Meanwhile, Estonia’s military modernization push includes the ongoing renovation of military transport vehicles and infrastructure improvements.
A key part of this initiative is the modernisation of the Emari airbase, located west of the capital, Tallinn. The project, with a €700 million investment, will upgrade this strategic facility, which serves as a vital hub for NATO’s air patrols in the Baltic region.
Defense Minister Kalle Pühäkurn (Pevkurs) underscored the importance of these increased defense expenditures, stressing that they are crucial for long-term procurement plans, which focus on expanding the inventory of ammunition and transport vehicles.
Estonia’s defense budget had previously stood at €1.34 billion, or 3.4% of its GDP, the second-highest ratio in NATO. The 2022 budget is set at 3.3% of GDP. These investments demonstrate Estonia’s commitment to its defense and the security of the wider Europe.
