Estonia intends to order weapons for Ukraine from its own defense industry

1 October, 2024 The Estonian military with the Mistral anti-aircraft missile system during exercises.

2023. Photo credits: Maria Grunberg/EDF The Estonian government intends to order weapons from its own defense industry to help Ukraine.

Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced this, ERR reports. According to him, Estonia wants to restructure military aid so that it is dominated by products from Estonian defense companies. This year, Estonia will provide Ukraine with a total of about EUR100 million in military aid, which corresponds to 0.25% of Estonia's gross domestic product.

The same policy will be continued in the following years, but the structure of military assistance will change. "We are embarking on a completely new course. We told Ukraine that we would give them what we [ourselves] produced and that we would obviously direct this money to the Estonian economy and the Estonian defense industry.

That is why we are continuing negotiations with the Ukrainians on how we can help," Hanno Pevkur noted.

Hanno Pevkur, Minister of Defense of Estonia. Photo credits: Iltalehti

According to the Minister, the Estonian defense industry is capable of producing products worth more than EUR100 million per year. Its range is wide and in demand.

The needs of Ukraine are currently being clarified to adapt the products to them. "We have given Ukraine [information] about our capabilities and are now trying to find a reasonable compromise that considers their priorities and our production capabilities. Production should also be able to catch up quickly if there are any specific products [needed]," Pevkur said.

After receiving the list of Ukrainian priorities, it will be possible to organize state tenders. According to the Minister, all Estonian enterprises that produce the required products could participate in them.

THeMIS UGV by Milrem Robotics. Photo from the company's page

At the same time, Hanno Pevkur noted that all Estonian military products supplied to Ukraine so far have received positive feedback and are in demand.

Among such products, he mentioned combat situation analysis tools, drones manufactured by Threod Systems, military boats, and anti-drone rifles manufactured by Rantelon.

Hanno Pevkur previously called on partners not to restrict Ukraine's use of weapons they have provided as part of military assistance.

Estonia will also invest about half a billion euros in its military infrastructure over the next four years.