Minister of Defence Jüri Luik recognised defence industry undertakings during his speech at the annual Estonian Defence and Security Industry Forum.
“Estonia’s defence sector has developed strengths in the fields of IT, communications and monitoring systems, cyber defence, smart solutions, and unmanned systems and sensors,” listed Minister Luik.
“We want to set an example and be the ones to create a new synergy, for example, in the fields of cyber defence and electronic warfare, and offer a conducive environment for the development of innovative solutions,” he added, while citing the example of the first time that Estonia organised the international defence cooperation exhibition Electronic Warfare & Cyber Live a few months ago.
The Ministry of Defence supports the development of new technologies and smart solutions by organising an annual competition for defence industry development projects, which has grown increasingly popular among companies.
According to the Minister of Defence, the year’s most important achievements includes the amending of the legal sphere so that private companies would be able to manufacture, maintain and demilitarise military weapons, ammunition and explosives in Estonia.
“At the same time, Estonia is standing for a more open international defence market, promoting cooperation between companies. This creates a defence industry that is internationally more competitive, the development of which strengthens Estonia’s connection to its allies and partners,” noted Luik.
According to the Minister of Defence, the defence industry sees the European Defence Fund as the most important of the European Union's new defence related initiatives, within the framework of which common financing of research and development activity in the field of defence will be taking place for the first time.
Luik also encouraged Estonian companies to develop international cooperation networks, taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the created fund.
The Minister of Defence thanked the Estonian Defence Industry Association, with whom the Ministry of Defence has enjoyed very good and constructive cooperation.