On Thursday, the Estonian government decided to provide military aid to Ukraine in the war with the Russian Federation in the amount of 113 million euros, which is the largest aid package provided by Estonia to date.
This is reported by ERR.
Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur's proposal for military aid to Ukraine includes indirect fire and anti-tank weapons, as well as ammunition worth a total of 113 million euros. Thus, Estonia's military aid to Ukraine will increase to 370 million euros, or slightly more than one percent of Estonia's gross domestic product.
This time, the military aid package consists of howitzers, ammunition, support vehicles for artillery units and grenade launchers.
According to ERR, Estonia provides dozens of 155 mm and 122 mm howitzers, thousands of shells and trucks for their use, more than a hundred Carl-Gustav anti-tank guns and more than a thousand units of ammunition for them.
Military aid to Ukraine does not reduce the defense capability of Estonia, the combat capability of the transferred artillery will be fully restored in the near future. A planned transition to mobile K9 artillery continues, and in addition, Estonia's defense capabilities will be strengthened by the presence of allies, including the recently added US HIMARS, the government said.
"Estonians know from their painful history what happens when evil wins and consumes the little ones. Estonia, to freedom and democracy," Prime Minister Kaia Kallas said.
With today's decision of the government, we are sending Ukraine the weapons it needs the most right now. the meeting of the leaders of the participating countries of the JEF Joint Expeditionary Force in Riga," Kallas added.
According to her, Ukrainians learn to use new weapons systems very quickly. We all want the war to end, but Russia has sent a clear signal that it plans to continue its war of aggression. on a much larger scale than before," Kallas said.
She also called on other countries to send arms to Ukraine: “All countries should review their stockpiles and support the industry so that it can produce more and faster.
Defense Minister Pevkur emphasized Ukraine's great need for heavy weapons. "Ukraine needs heavy weapons to hold the initiative and confront Russia, which is now preparing to restore its military power. it is important to set an example and motivate other allies to help as well," Pevkur said.
As reported, Latvia will send Stinger anti-aircraft missile complexes, helicopters, machine guns with ammunition and drones to Ukraine.
In the past, Estonia has provided Ukraine with, for example, missiles for Javelin anti-tank missile systems, howitzers, anti-tank mines, anti-tank grenade launchers, mortars, vehicles, communication equipment, medicines, personal protective equipment such as helmets and dry rations. In cooperation with Germany, Estonia handed Ukraine two field hospitals and medical supplies worth almost 15 million euros. Estonia is transferring the third field hospital to Ukraine in cooperation with the Netherlands and Norway, which supported the project in the amount of 7.8 million euros.
Estonia is applying for funds from the European Global Fund for Equipment Recovery.
