Estonia Mandates 12-Month Service to Crew New Air Defenses
Estonia will implement a uniform 12-month conscription period for all draftees and increase its annual intake to 4,100 personnel starting in 2027, a move the defense ministry says is essential for training soldiers to operate incoming advanced weapon systems.
- —Estonia will implement a uniform 12-month conscription period for all draftees starting in 2027, increasing the total number of conscripts to 4,100.
- —The defense ministry stated that the extended service period is necessary to ensure conscripts receive adequate training for complex new weapon systems, including medium-range air defense.
- —Conscripts will be drafted twice a year, during the eighth and 34th week of the year, a change from the current three draft periods.
- —The 12-month service will include six months of intensive general and specialized training followed by six months of practical combat duty.
- —Specific draft allocations for 2027 include 2,554 for the Division, 364 for the Air Force, 344 for Cyber Command, and 322 for the Navy, among other units.
Recap
Estonia's conscription overhaul is a direct response to its military modernization, tying personnel policy to the operational demands of new high-tech weaponry. The move from varied service lengths to a standardized 12-month term is not a simple administrative change; it is a foundational investment to ensure that the country's significant hardware upgrades are matched by soldiers with the necessary skills to operate them effectively. This signals a long-term strategic commitment to building a more capable and technically proficient reserve force.