Estonia plans to build around 150 defence bunkers in the Ida-Viru County region, which borders Russia. The fortifications will form part of the Baltic Defence Belt, which is being established to strengthen the defence of the Baltic states’ eastern borders. Some of the structures will be located on private land by agreement with the landowners. This was announced on 28 October by the Estonian Minister of Defence, Martin Herem, during a briefing in the country’s parliament.
- Estonia plans to build around 150 defence bunkers near the border with Russia.
- Around 100 structures will be built on state-owned land, with a further 50 on municipal or privately-owned land.
- Owners of private land will be offered compensation, a lease or the option to sell their plots.
- Construction will take place within the Baltic Defence Belt.
Where will Estonia build 150 defence bunkers?
New fortifications will be built in Ida-Viru County in north-eastern Estonia, which borders directly with Russia.
According to the Minister of Defence Martina Herema, around 100 bunkers will be situated on state-owned land. A further 50 or so structures are planned to be built on land owned by local authorities or private individuals.
These facilities will form part of the Baltic Defence Belt — a system of defensive fortifications that Estonia is developing in collaboration with Latvia and Lithuania.
What will happen to private plots near the border?
The issue of the use of private land was raised during parliamentary hearings. A Member of Parliament Arvo Aller asked whether the government was planning to purchase land along the Narva River for the construction of defence structures.
Kherem explained that there are currently no plans for a large-scale expropriation or buy-out of land along the border.
To install storage silos on private land, the authorities will negotiate directly with the landowners. Possible options include financial compensation for the use of the land, leasing it, or the state purchasing it.
The final terms will depend on the agreements reached with the owners of the specific plots of land.
Estonia is set to increase funding for training young people and drone operators
The Defence Minister also announced new training activities the population to the country’s defence.
Over the next four years, Estonia will increase funding for the youth defence organisations Noored Kotkad («Young Eagles») and Kodutütred («Daughters of the Fatherland»).
Additional funding will be allocated for training in the operation of drones. There are also plans to place greater emphasis on national defence in school curricula, by integrating relevant topics into existing subjects.
Herem clarified that these measures would apply to the whole of Estonia, and not just the border region of Ida-Virumaa.
