Estonian Javelin Anti-Tank Missiles Have Arrived in Ukraine
On February 3, the Estonian Ministry of Defence announced that the 80-million-Euro ($86 million) military aid package approved in December 2023 had been successfully delivered to Ukraine. According to the ministry’s statement, the aid package includes Javelin anti-tank missiles, machine guns, small arms ammunition, various types of equipment as well as diving equipment. However, the quantity, arrival times, and destinations of the equipment were not disclosed for security reasons. The initial package was announced on 14 December, 2023.
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur expressed his satisfaction that another aid package had reached Ukraine and was being put to use by Ukrainian defenders, saying:
“I am pleased that another aid package has arrived in Ukraine and is being used by Ukrainian defenders. Recent events in Europe demonstrate that the dispatch of crucial missiles and other military assistance to Ukraine continues on a large scale, and with this, along with our allies, we are sending a clear message to the Kremlin that we will continue to support Ukraine until a victorious outcome is achieved,”
With the latest military aid package, the Estonian government’s total support for Ukraine since 2022 has reached €500 million ($547 million). This military aid corresponds to approximately 1.4% of Tallinn’s gross domestic product. To date, Estonia has provided a wide range of support to Ukraine, including Javelin anti-tank missile systems, howitzers, artillery ammunition, anti-tank mines, anti-tank mortars, machine guns, vehicles, communication equipment, field hospitals, medical supplies, personal protective equipment (helmets, body armor, etc.) and military food rations. Furthermore, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has pledged that Estonia will spend 0.25% of its GDP on military aid to Ukraine over the next four years.
The Estonian government has made a series of military acquisitions to replenish its stockpiles, which have been reduced as a result of its support for Ukraine, as well as to maintain its own defensive capabilities. These purchases include 155mm howitzers from South Korea’s Hanwha Defense, M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) from the US, Piorun short-range man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) from Polish Mesko, loitering munitions from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and a large number of armored vehicles from Turkey’s Otokar and Nurol Makina. Estonia is expected to increase such purchases in the near future in order to align its military forces with NATO standards against the current Russian threat and to increase interoperability with the eastern wing of the alliance.