Estonia to get €114 million military capability boost
The 2016 state budget will divert 114 million euros of the defense budget into creating new defense capabilities. The figure, which will still be part of the 2 percent of GDP pledge, form quarter of the overall defense budget.
The largest capability-boosting investment will be the purchase of Dutch CV90 combat vehicles, with 25 million euros, of the total cost of around 138 million, being paid to the Netherlands in 2016, the Ministry of Defense said.
The first of the 44 vehicles will arrive in Estonia in the second half of 2016.
Over 40 million euros will be spent on new weapons and equipment for the 1st and 2nd infantry brigades. The sum includes ammunition and clothes.
Over 50 million will be spent on infrastructure, including 15 million to be spent on the Tapa military base for new barracks and maintenance hangers.
The navy will receive six million euros to upgrade a naval base in Tallinn.
Funds will be used to begin construction of an air defense command center in Tallinn.
A further 10 million euros will be spent on building infrastructure necessary for allied troops deployed to Estonia.
Slightly over six million will be used to cover costs of military missions abroad, such as in Lebanon, Mali and Afghanistan.
The total military budget for 2016 will be 449 million euros, up from 412 million in the 2015. In 2016, defense spending will make up 2.07 percent of GDP.
Editor: J.M. Laats