Defence investments 2025-2029

In front of you is another annotated edition of Estonia’s defence investment action plan for the coming years. We outline how you can contribute to our national defence, what the key focus areas will be in the near future, how to participate in procurements, and how to easily get in touch with us. We strive to be accessible to everyone and are increasingly working towards simplicity and transparency.

Our national defence has made a tremendous leap forward in recent years. Over the past three years, the volume of investments has increased more than fivefold, while our client base and product range have also expanded.

For the first time in 2025, foreign funds will make up a larger share of our budget than Estonia’sown defence budget. Our client base has grown mainly internationally, supported primarily by various European Union financial mechanisms and, hopefully soon, NATO partnership programs. This trust is built on our centre’s international reputation, expert knowledge of the global defence market, and a broad network of partners.

In 2024, the focus was on supporting the rapid development of new capabilities. We delivered everything necessary for coastal defence – from anti-ship weapons to naval mines –, constructed facilities worth nearly 100 million euros for the deep-fire capabilities of the Estonian division, and the infrastructure for mediumrange air defence is nearing completion. Several elements have already found their place within the new infrastructure, and the delivery of key weapon systems will soon begin: HIMARS systems will arrive in Estonia, and the delivery of unmanned aerial strike munitions has already started.

The sustainability and combat readiness of the Defence Forces have significantly improved: we delivered over 100 truckloads of ammunition and built nearly 50 storage facilities for its safekeeping. Last year, we contributed to combat readiness with unit equipment, specialized machinery, and operational vehicles. A large amount of various sensor equipment, air surveillance and air defense equipment, and much more has been partially delivered and is currently being delivered.

If you are wondering why you should do business with the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments and participate in Estonia’s national defence supply chain, here are a few reasons:

• Contributing to Estonia’s national defence and regional security is an honour!
• We have established an easily accessible, transparent, and open procurement
system that provides a unique opportunity to participate in the defence sector
supply chain with relatively low entry barriers.
• The rapidly evolving defence sector, where technological, environmental, and
geopolitical trends converge, presents historically strong opportunities to do
business and grow your company.
• Defence forces are major customers for nearly everything that is produced –
not just defence materials.
• While procurement processes and reaching an agreement with the government
can be lengthy, they ensure a highly reliable client with excellent payment discipline for years.
• Our procurements serve as a direct gateway to international clients, as we are part of one of NATO’s most efficient supply chains.

The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments is the central procurement and infrastructure provider for national defence. This means we ensure continuous access to materials and services in all circumstances – whether it’s ammunition, weapons, radars, vehicles, equipment, training, maintenance services, or more. We act proactively and work hard to ensure that materials are available when needed. We achieve this primarily through public procurements, and we truly procure everything – from a pin to a warship.

Additionally, we provide the necessary, functional, and safe infrastructure for national defence, from training areas to military bases and everything in between or around them. ECDI is one of Estonia’s largest infrastructure managers, with approximately 700,000 m. of enclosed net area and 50,000 hectares of land. We oversee virtually the entire value chain of infrastructure, from plannin to the decommissioning and demolition of buildings, including development, zconstruction, service provision, maintenance, and much more.

If you are interested in learning more, visit www.kaitseinvesteeringud.ee/en, where you can find a real-time updated procurement plan and other information regarding procurements, infrastructure, and training areas. For additional inquiries, contact our strategic category and portfolio managers.

Always together with you, dear suppliers!

Author:
Magnus-Valdemar Saar,
Director General at the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments

Read more: Defene Investments 2025-2029