Additional Coverage:
- Estonia says it could hold out against a Russian attack ‘for a couple of weeks’ before NATO arrives (newsbreak.com)
In Viljani, Estonia, during a Victory Day parade in June 2023, Estonian soldiers were observed actively participating against a distinct backdrop of heightened national defense readiness.
A high-ranking Estonian military leader has asserted that the nation could fend off an invasion from Russia for up to two weeks, pending the arrival of NATO reinforcement. Amid escalating concerns over Russian aggression in the region, the Baltics, including Estonia, are significantly enhancing their military defenses. Notably, Estonia, which is positioned along the Russian border, plans to allocate over 3% of its GDP to defense spending in 2024, a figure that far surpasses the defense spending commitments of the majority of NATO members.
This comes in a time of strained relations with Russia, especially in the wake of the intense military conflict in Ukraine, which has served as an alarming signal for Estonia. It has also positioned Estonia as the leading provider of military assistance to Ukraine relative to its GDP.
Further illustrating the severity of the situation, US, British, and French military personnel are regularly stationed at a training facility close to Estonia’s border with Russia, underscoring NATO’s strategic focus on this sensitive region.
Colonel Mati Tikerpuu, head of one of Estonia’s army brigades, has candidly shared with “El País” the importance of anticipating a potential Russian invasion and has outlined how the Ukrainian conflict has informed Estonia’s own military preparedness, emphasizing the strategic relevance of drones and artillery. Despite these preparations, Estonia faces limitations in its armed forces, lacking main battle tanks and combat aircraft, though it has sought to bolster its capabilities through the acquisition of six US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launcher systems set for delivery.
An Estonian intelligence report has raised concerns over Russia’s plans to deploy nearly 40,000 troops along its border in the forthcoming years, a significant force compared to Estonia’s 4,200 active-duty soldiers. However, Estonia’s defense strategy is supported by nearly 40,000 trained reservists, thanks to its conscription policy.
The threat posed by Russia has been a major concern for Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who last year highlighted the imminent security risks to Europe. In a demonstration of solidarity and support, the US has approved a substantial defense aid package for Estonia and its Baltic neighbors, Lithuania and Latvia, which includes enhancements to military infrastructure.
Furthermore, Estonia and neighboring former Soviet states have embarked on constructing a new defensive line along their extensive border with Russia, incorporating rapid-deployment defenses like mines and anti-tank barriers. Additionally, Estonia is participating in the development of a “drone wall” aimed at securing its borders, responding to the anticipated threat of Russian hybrid warfare tactics designed to destabilize without resorting to full-scale military engagement.