Estonia Seeks to Purchase Long-Range Missiles from Ukraine, Says Estonian Defense Minister

Estonia is exploring the possibility of purchasing defense products from Ukraine, including long-range missiles, as part of its efforts to enhance military capabilities and support Ukraine’s defense industry. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur shared this potential collaboration during an interview with Estonian broadcaster ERR.

Currently, Ukraine’s wartime export restrictions prevent the sale of military equipment, but Pevkur believes an agreement could still be reached between the two nations. He emphasized that any such collaboration would benefit both Estonia and Ukraine by boosting Ukraine’s production capacity.

“If we receive approval from the Ukrainian government, this could become a reality. The arrangement must be such that Ukraine receives more funds, which in turn allows them to increase production for their own military needs,” Pevkur explained.

Estonia’s primary interest lies in acquiring long-range missile systems. “Long-range missiles are of particular interest to us. There are many options, but we will first focus on systems capable of engaging adversaries at significant distances,” Pevkur noted, while not providing specific details on the systems under consideration.

Pevkur added that discussions with Ukraine are ongoing. Should an agreement be reached, Estonia will prioritize purchasing only what is necessary for its defense needs.

According to reports from The Financial Times, Ukraine is also considering lifting its export ban on domestically produced weapons, as Kyiv seeks to expand its defense production to meet the demands of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. This potential shift could pave the way for further international cooperation on defense manufacturing.

Pevkur is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov next week in Brussels to continue discussions on potential defense collaboration. Additionally, Pevkur plans to visit Ukraine in the coming weeks to further explore opportunities for cooperation.