The government decided on Thursday that they will not purchase new combat vehicles. Instead, the funds will be allocated for air defense, drones, and unmanned systems. Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur stated that this is a better solution.
The experiences from the war in Ukraine have shown that combat vehicles are not as crucial. Therefore, it was decided to use the funds elsewhere. The lifespan of existing vehicles will be extended by 10 years. This is cheaper than buying new ones.
500 million euros will be allocated to strengthen the defense forces. The funds will be used for drone protection, air defense, and the development of unmanned systems. Pevkur mentioned that they are learning from Ukraine and investing in new technologies.
Drones are very important for the future. The government is also allocating funds for counter-drone measures. Technology is evolving rapidly, as seen in Israel where laser weapons are already being used. Therefore, investments need to be flexible.
Pevkur discussed how drones are evolving quickly. Some drones use rocket engines, while others use electric motors. This makes drone detection more difficult. Therefore, there is a need to invest in sensors that can identify drones.