Pevkur in Vilnius: Baltic States must work closely together to secure additional defence funding

Today, Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur met in Vilnius with Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė and Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds to discuss NATO capability targets, defence spending, and matters related to the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague.

"Increased defence spending is essential, as the security situation and global political dynamics have become more complex. On the one hand, we must be prepared to do more for our own defence, and on the other, we must meet NATO's capability targets," said Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur. According to Pevkur, it is ultimately crucial to ensure that in the coming years, Estonia and its allies have the necessary capabilities and ammunition to defend themselves if needed. Pevkur noted that all three Baltic States are still in the early stages of political discussions on how to secure additional funding for national defence. "It is vital that Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania work closely together within the European Union to identify funding sources," added Pevkur.

"We have begun drafting a new national defence development plan, and the new capability developments agreed with NATO allies will require funding," said Pevkur. Over the next four years (2025-28), €3.5 billion-more than half of the national defence budget-has been allocated for the acquisition and maintenance of new capabilities. For example, since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022, Estonia has procured or plans to procure more than €4 billion worth of ammunition. Additionally, €1.6 billion has been earmarked for the procurement of ammunition from 2025 to 2031. Critical capabilities, such as medium-range air defence, indirect fire systems (including multiple rocket launchers and loitering munitions), and host nation support is also being developed.

The ministers reaffirmed their ongoing support for Ukraine at a level of 0.25% of GDP annually, for as long as necessary. "Estonia's support this year and in the years to come will focus on acquiring assistance from Estonia's defence industry," clarified Pevkur.

The ministers also discussed issues related to the protection of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. They acknowledged that incidents in the Baltic Sea are recurrent and systematic. NATO's prompt response in launching operation Baltic Sentry was a step in the right direction, and such operations have a significant deterrent effect on the broader security of Baltic Sea states.

Additionally, the ministers addressed joint capability development projects, provided an update on the current state of national defence industry development, and discussed the Baltic Defence Line developments.

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Photos: Kolme Balti riigi kaitseministrite kohtumine Vilniuses (23.01.2025) | Flickr