News
30.07.2025|Ministry of Defence
Estonia to invest over €10 billion in defence in 2026-2029
Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur today approved the new development plan for the Ministry of Defence’s area of governance, allocating more than €10 billion over the next four years to strengthen Estonia’s national defence capabilities.
“With this new development plan, we are building a modern...
26.07.2025|Ministry of Defence
Pevkur in Washington: NATO is of vital importance to the U.S.
Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur, together with Latvian Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds and Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė, met yesterday in Washington with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The discussion focused on the significance of the U.S. military...
18.07.2025|Ministry of Defence
Pevkur in Iraq: a fragile but stable security situation allows Estonia to end its mission participation by September
Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur visited Iraq this week to meet with the Iraqi Minister of Defence, the President and Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, the Kurdish Minister of Defence, as well as the commanders of NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) and Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). During the...
16.07.2025|Ministry of Defence
Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur awards outgoing head of ECDI Magnus-Valdemar Saar
Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur has awarded the Ministry of Defence Class II Cross of Merit to Magnus-Valdemar Saar for his long-standing and effective contribution to the development of Estonia’s national defence and his leadership of the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI).
“...
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...