News
09.07.2025|Ministry of Defence
Public opinion survey: A growing share of Estonians support increasing defence spending
A majority of Estonian residents believe it is necessary to increase the country’s defence spending — a figure that has grown by ten percent compared to last year. In addition, nearly a quarter of respondents (23%) support maintaining defence spending at its current level, according to the results...
08.07.2025|Ministry of Defence
UK Brigadier Harris awarded the Ministry of Defence Cross of Merit
Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur awarded the Class II Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence to Brigadier Giles Richard Harris, who is concluding his second tour of duty in Estonia at the beginning of July 2025.
“I am awarding the Ministry of Defence’s Class II Cross of Merit to Brigadier...
30.06.2025|Ministry of Defence
Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur honours major contributors to the Reserve Forces Fund with Ministry of Defence awards
Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur has honoured the major contributors to the Reserve Forces Fund with awards of the Ministry of Defence – including the organisers of a charitable concert and representatives of Apotheka, Goldtime, and Ott&Matilda.
"The Reserve Forces Fund offers companies and...
17.06.2025|Ministry of Defence
Armed Forces Supporter Award given to 517 employers this year
The Ministry of Defence has recognised 517 Estonian companies and organizations with the „Armed Forces Supporter“ award for their contribution to supporting Estonia's national defense and reservists. These organizations support national defence by maintaining the income of reservists during...
10.06.2025|Ministry of Defence
Photo Gallery: Permanent Secretary Kaimo Kuusk presents mission medals to French and U.S. soldiers
On June 4th at the Estonian Defence Forces’ Tapa military base, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Kaimo Kuusk awarded mission medals to soldiers from the French contingent of NATO’s battlegroup in Estonia and the U.S. Task Force Victory, whose service in Estonia concludes in June.
“We...
05.06.2025|Ministry of Defence
NATO's defence readiness requires reaching 5% defence spending within 5 years
At today’s NATO defence ministers’ meeting in Brussels, ministers discussed preparations for the upcoming Hague Summit and adopted capability targets necessary for implementing NATO’s defence plans.
“For the Hague Summit, all member states need to commit to the 5% defence spending target and begin...
28.05.2025|Ministry of Defence
IT Coalition led by Estonia and Luxembourg has raised over one billion euros in support of Ukraine
Yesterday in Tallinn, member states of the IT Coalition Steering Group gathered for their ninth meeting to receive an update on recent developments and Ukraine’s most urgent needs in communications and information technology. In total, the member states of the Coalition led by Estonia and...
23.05.2025|Ministry of Defence
Baltic defence ministers reiterated their commitment to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP from 2026
Defence Ministers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania met at Ämari Air Base to align positions ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague this June. The meeting focused on strengthening European defence readiness, increasing defence spending, advancing the Baltic Defence Line initiative,...
19.05.2025|Ministry of Defence
Tõnis Saar chosen to become new director of NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence
This August, Tõnis Saar will assume the role of Director of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE), based in Tallinn. He will take over the position from Mart Noorma, who has led the Centre since August 2022.
“Cyber defence is one of NATO’s key tasks in deterrence and...
16.05.2025|Ministry of Defence
Estonian Minister of Defence meets with NATO Deputy Secretary General and U.S. Ambassador to NATO
Ahead of the opening of the Lennart Meri Conference today, Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur met with NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska and U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker to discuss the security situation and preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague.
"The key...