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Estonia Pledges Expanded Military Aid to Ukraine, Including Drones and Digital Tech Support
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur arrived in Kyiv for a working visit, where he met with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense to discuss security aid priorities and opportunities for cooperation with Estonia’s defense industry, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense reported on April 8.
The Ukrainian delegation included Deputy Defense Ministers Serhii Boiev (European integration), Kateryna Chernohorenko (digital development), and Valerii Churkin.
Minister Pevkur presented a roadmap for how Estonia’s defense industry could contribute to Ukraine’s defense and showcased its current production capabilities.
“Estonia will continue to assist and support Ukraine — our national budget has allocated more than 0.25% of GDP for this purpose. We are working to ensure Ukraine receives everything it needs to achieve a just and lasting peace,” said Pevkur.
Estonia also reaffirmed its commitment to supplying Ukraine with ammunition and announced additional funding for two critical initiatives this year: €5 million for the IT Coalition and another €5 million to support the training of Ukrainian servicemen.
The two sides also agreed to intensify collaboration on drone deliveries to Ukraine. Estonia is an active member of the International Drone Coalition and possesses domestic manufacturing capacity for UAVs.
“The format of cooperation with Estonia proves highly effective, as it allows us to identify and acquire the capabilities needed to strengthen Ukraine’s Defense Forces,” said Deputy Defense Minister Serhii Boiev.
“This model is one we aim to replicate with other allies. We’ve already provided Estonia with a list of our priority needs.”
Deputy Minister Kateryna Chernohorenko briefed the Estonian delegation on Ukraine’s advancements in defense-related digital technologies, including military applications developed by the ministry and the ongoing development of the DELTA battlefield management system.
“Creating user-friendly and cutting-edge solutions is crucial for improving the interaction between soldiers and the state,” said Chernohorenko.
“We are setting an example for other countries by integrating digital services not only in daily life but also within the military. I thank Estonia for supporting our initiatives and for its active leadership in the IT Coalition.”
Ukraine’s defense leadership expressed deep gratitude to Minister Pevkur and the Estonian people for their steadfast international support and ongoing military, financial, and humanitarian assistance.
Earlier, Estonia’s parliament was preparing legislation that would authorize the country’s Defense Forces to use military force against commercial vessels suspected of attempting to damage undersea cables or other critical infrastructure.
