The Estonian government has agreed to increase defense spending in 2026 to at least 5 percent of the gross domestic product.
This was stated at a press conference by Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Ukrinform reports with reference to Postimees.
Photo: Mihkel Maripuu
“Today, the government heard military recommendations from the Commander of the Defense Forces and the Minister of Defense. We endorse the proposals and will increase defense spending. We approved the principle that the basic level of the 2026 defense budget will increase to at least 5% of GDP. We need to make additional investments. In the near future, we will start negotiations on the state budget to this end,” Michal emphasized, adding that the numbers may increase in the coming years.
According to the Estonian Prime Minister, the Ministry of Defense is developing a long-term financial plan that will be presented to the government in April.
Michal noted that the goal of the budget increase is to make military aggression against Estonia impossible. “Our goal is to prevent war. The Ministry of Defense has been instructed to immediately start preparing additional purchases, the exact volumes will be known in early April,” he stressed.
The Estonian Prime Minister also noted that the government has asked to reassess the closure of borders for security agencies. A new threat analysis will be rolled out next month, he added.
In turn, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said: “Our task at this point is to find a solution with the Ministry of Finance as soon as possible so that the financial plan becomes such that we can take on tenders. The tenders include a significant expansion of the air defense network, additional strengthening of deep strike capabilities, as well as the use of lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. The reform also includes, for example, the development of the navy, the construction of new ships, etc.”
As Ukrinform reported earlier, on January 23, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his call for NATO member states to raise the minimum level of defense spending to 5% of national GDP.
Earlier, allied leaders disagreed with this proposal, while not rejecting the need to slightly increase defense spending.
Title photo is illustrative
Source: Estonia to slate at least 5% of GDP for defense in 2026
