Estonia to Deploy German IRIS-T in €2.4B Defense Overhaul
Estonia will field German-made IRIS-T medium-range air defense systems in 2026 as part of a comprehensive military modernization that will see its defense budget swell to 2.4 billion euros, or 5.4% of its GDP, to counter perceived aerial threats.
- —Estonia is set to significantly upgrade its air defense capabilities in 2026 with the introduction of German-made IRIS-T medium-range surface-to-air missile systems, enhancing its ability to counter aerial threats up to 20 km in altitude and 40 km in distance.
- —The country will also bolster its ground forces with additional Polish Piorun short-range air defense systems, increase its K9 Thunder self-propelled artillery to 36 units, and acquire more French Caesar wheeled artillery systems, alongside existing HIMARS and planned Chunmoo rocket systems.
- —The Estonian Navy will see upgrades to its mine-sweepers with new main power units and extended service life contracts, while also exploring the construction of up to four new vessels and developing a coastal defense missile system named Bluespear.
- —Developments in unmanned aviation include continued deliveries of low-flying reconnaissance drones and FPV drones, alongside the first deliveries of loitering munitions and the implementation of acoustic surveillance and counter-drone systems.
- —Estonia's defense spending for 2026 is projected at 2.4 billion euros, representing 5.4% of its GDP, a nearly fourfold increase since 2021, with a significant portion allocated to arms and ammunition procurement through 2029.
Recap
Estonia's military expansion is a fundamental strategic realignment, not merely a procurement cycle. The massive budget increase to 5.4% of GDP signals a permanent shift in national security posture, moving beyond a NATO tripwire function toward a more self-reliant, layered deterrent. The comprehensive upgrades across air, land, sea, and unmanned domains, directly informed by the conflict in Ukraine, are designed to create a credible defense-in-depth. The parallel focus on ammunition stockpiles and domestic production addresses key logistical vulnerabilities exposed in recent European conflicts.