Estonia moves troops closer to Russia in preparation for active defense: Report

Estonia is moving military units closer to its border with Russia and expanding its long-range strike capabilities as part of a new “active defense” strategy, The Financial Times reported Monday, according to broadcaster ERR.

The First Brigade of the Estonian Defense Forces is being permanently relocated from Tapa to Johvi, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the Russian border.

New facilities are being built in Johvi to accommodate the brigade.

Estonia is also building a military base in Narva, a city near the Russian border, with capacity for up to 1,000 personnel in a crisis.

Estonian military and intelligence officials told the financial daily that they do not expect Russia to launch a full-scale war with NATO within the next two years but are preparing for possible future conflict and concerned about a potential limited-scale operation against Estonia.

Estonia has signed contracts for nine US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, including missiles with ranges of up to 300 km (186 mi), and is also acquiring nine South Korean Chunmoo systems with similar ranges, the report said.

Estonia’s defense spending is expected to rise 42% this year to €2.4 billion ($2.8 billion), or 5.4% of gross domestic product.

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