On April 9, 2026, the Estonian government decided to suspend the program acquiring new armored vehicles scheduled for delivery in 2029-2030, originally costing over 500 million euros. Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur cited lessons from the Ukraine war, market conditions, and a military advisory recommending an increased focus on upgrading existing CV-90 armored vehicles by extending their service life up to 10 years, which is significantly cheaper. The reallocated funds will enhance Estonia’s air defense, drone countermeasures, unmanned systems, and situational awareness capabilities. Pevkur emphasized rapidly evolving technology, noting the first deployment of laser weapons in Israel and the complexity of countering increasingly sophisticated drones, including those with rocket or electric motors. Future investments will be flexible to adapt to these technological advancements. The defense chief is updating military advice to reflect these priorities for the next four-year defense investment plan, underscoring the focus on drone defense, air defense, and unmanned systems.

On April 9, 2026, the Estonian government decided to suspend the program acquiring new armored vehicles scheduled for delivery in 2029-2030, originally costing over 500 million euros. Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur cited lessons from the Ukraine war, market conditions, and a military advisory recommending an increased focus on upgrading existing CV-90 armored vehicles by extending their service life up to 10 years, which is significantly cheaper. The reallocated funds will enhance Estonia’s air defense, drone countermeasures, unmanned systems, and situational awareness capabilities. Pevkur emphasized rapidly evolving technology, noting the first deployment of laser weapons in Israel and the complexity of countering increasingly sophisticated drones, including those with rocket or electric motors. Future investments will be flexible to adapt to these technological advancements. The defense chief is updating military advice to reflect these priorities for the next four-year defense investment plan, underscoring the focus on drone defense, air defense, and unmanned systems.