Estonian construction firm Mapri Ehitus has won a €4 million contract from the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) to design and construct a new radar post. Funded by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, the project will take 17 months to complete. In June 2023, ECDI also partnered with Thales to procure two Ground Master 400 Alpha radars, boosting Estonia’s airspace protection capabilities. Major Tõnis Pärn, commander of the Estonian Defence Forces air surveillance wing, emphasized the radar post’s role in enhancing flight safety, supporting maritime rescue operations, and improving situational awareness. These initiatives mark a significant step forward in Estonia’s defense modernization efforts.
Related Posts
Estonia Reconsiders Second HIMARS Purchase Amid Production Delays
- Veiko Lukmann
- 19/02/2025
- 0
Estonia is reassessing a second order of Lockheed Martin’s HIMARS due to concerns over long production lead times, with a decision expected in the coming months. Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur emphasized the need for discussions with the U.S. to potentially secure earlier production slots. Estonia’s first order of six HIMARS units, worth over $200 million, is already in progress, with deliveries expected soon. Pevkur stressed that Estonia cannot afford to wait for extended delivery timelines amid growing regional security concerns. The review highlights Estonia’s urgency in strengthening its defense capabilities. Original news
Six HIMARS rocket launchers to arrive in Estonia by mid-2025
- Veiko Lukmann
- 23/01/2025
- 0
Lockheed Martin has delivered six M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to Estonia, as announced by the Estonia Centre for Defence Investments (EDCI). These systems are expected to arrive in the coming months for immediate deployment by the Estonian Defence Forces. Major Tanel Tatsi highlighted the transformative impact of HIMARS, stating that they provide long-range precision strike capabilities to enhance Estonia’s defense. The delivery is part of a $200 million agreement signed in 2022, which represents one of Estonia’s largest defense investments. The project also includes ammunition, training, logistics, and communication solutions to support the new systems. Original news
EU Considers Joint Defense Fund to Reduce US Dependence by 2030
- Veiko Lukmann
- 07/04/2025
- 0
Reuters reports that EU finance ministers will discuss launching the European Defence Mechanism (EDM), a joint intergovernmental fund, during a meeting in Warsaw. The proposed fund would acquire and own defense equipment, charging EU members for usage while offering loans to support procurement. The EDM could also include non-EU members like the UK and Ukraine, aiming to reduce European reliance on US military support by 2030. A Bruegel think tank paper emphasized that this model could promote a unified European defense market without inflating national public debts. The initiative represents a major step toward EU defense integration amid growing geopolitical […]