Military of Estonia

Accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is Estonia's main security and defense policy priority. Accession to NATO has been included in all coalition agreements of all Estonian governments since the restoration of independence, including the present government. The same objective also is stated in the National Security Concept of the Republic of Estonia, approved by the parliament in March 2001.

The 2002 state budget allocates 2% of gross domestic product for defense expenditures. The United States is among the countries with which Estonia has very intensive cooperation in the defense and security field.

Military branches: Ground Forces, Navy/Coast Guard, Air and Air Defense Force (not officially sanctioned), Maritime Border Guard, Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit), Security Forces (internal and border troops)

Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 359,764 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 282,456 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 10,965 (2000 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $70 million (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.2% (FY99)

See also : Estonia