Estonia is adapting its defense strategy in response to the threats posed by Russia. Considering the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, the country has radically revised its approach to defense.
The updated defense plan, announced by Major General Vahur Karus in an interview with ERR, introduces a new concept of defense: in the event of a Russian attack, Estonia will be ready not only to defend its borders but also to strike at enemy forces deep within their territory. Previously, NATO’s strategy for Estonia was for the country to be able to hold off a Russian attack for up to 10 days while waiting for support from its allies. However, changes in regional security, particularly Russia’s war against Ukraine, have forced NATO and the Baltic states to reevaluate their defense plans.
“This is a huge change. It’s a change brought to many NATO allies by the war in Ukraine. We can no longer wait to be hit on the head with a hammer. We must be ready to act first,” Karus noted. Estonia is actively preparing for a possible conflict, training its troops to conduct operations not only on its own territory but also to strike at enemy positions that pose a threat to the country. According to Karus, Estonia’s defense forces are ready to carry out strikes on Russian bases and troops planning attacks on Estonia.
Estonia’s defense strategy is closely integrated with NATO plans. Allies such as the United Kingdom and France are ready to act immediately alongside Estonia’s army in the event of a conflict. Each ally has commitments to provide weapons and support in case of an attack on Estonia.
As part of this, a new military base, Reedo, was opened near the town of Võru in southern Estonia. The base can accommodate up to 1,000 soldiers and is intended for both the Estonian Defense Forces and allied troops, including those from the United States. They will be stationed there either permanently or temporarily, both for peacetime training and crisis situations.
“If allies come to our aid according to NATO’s plans, they will need a place where they can gather and prepare for combat immediately upon arriving by plane or ship,” said the commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade.
The war in Ukraine has changed the security outlook for many NATO countries. Estonia is no longer relying solely on defense but is prepared for active measures to protect its territory and the region as a whole.
The Russian-Ukrainian war has been the primary catalyst for these changes. Ukraine is holding back Russian aggression every day, protecting not only its own borders but also safeguarding other European countries from a potential expansion of the war. Therefore, supporting Ukraine is critically important for the entire Alliance and especially for Estonia.
Ukraine’s experience on the battlefield has shown the necessity of being ready for quick and decisive actions. Estonia, like other Baltic countries, recognizes that the success of Ukraine directly impacts the stability and security of the region. Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression reduces the risks of conflict escalation in Europe, as Ukraine remains the key barrier preventing a potential attack on other countries.
