Estonia moves troops closer to Russia under active defence strategy

Estonia is moving military units closer to its border with Russia and expanding its long-range strike capabilities as part of a new “active defence” strategy, the Estonian broadcaster ERR reported Monday, citing The Financial Times.

The Estonian Defence Forces’ First Brigade is being permanently relocated from Tapa to Jõhvi, about 50 kilometres (31 miles) from the Russian border. New facilities are being built in Jõhvi to accommodate the brigade.

Estonia is also building a military base in Narva, near the Russian border, with capacity for up to 1,000 personnel in a crisis.

Estonian military and intelligence officials told the newspaper they do not expect Russia to launch a full-scale war with NATO within the next two years. However, they are preparing for a possible future conflict and are concerned about the prospect of a limited operation against Estonia.

Estonia has signed contracts for nine US-made “HIMARS” multiple rocket launchers, including missiles with ranges of up to 300 kilometres (186 miles), the report said. It is also acquiring nine South Korean “Chunmoo” systems with similar ranges.

Estonia’s defence spending is expected to rise 42% this year to €2.4 billion ($2.8 billion), equivalent to 5.4% of gross domestic product.