Baltic Defence Weekly – No. 80 (27 April–3 May 2026): Kaja Kallas Urges EU Toughness on Russia, U.S. Troop Cuts in Germany, and Baltic Defence Industry Momentum
EU’s Kaja Kallas Urges Europe Not to “Humiliate Itself” by Begging Russia for Talks European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas delivered a forceful message at the Nordic Baltic Eight (NB8) meeting on Saaremaa, urging the EU to maintain a tough stance on Russia and warning against premature negotiations. Kallas called for increased pressure on Moscow […]
Baltic Defence Weekly – No. 78 (13–19 April 2026): Estonia–Lithuania Strategic Push, Frankenburg Gets New Funding, and U.S. Delivery Delays Hit the Baltics
Estonian President’s State Visit to Lithuania Strengthens Baltic Defence Ties President Alar Karis led a business delegation including several defence tech companies on a state visit to Lithuania, where he met President Gitanas Nausėda. The two heads of state signed a joint declaration consolidating their strategic partnership through 2030, with a focus on defence cooperation, […]
Baltic Defence Weekly – No. 77 (6–12 April 2026): Estonia Scraps €500m IFV Deal for Drone Defence, Saab Radars for Baltics, and HIMARS Expansion
Estonia Cancels €500m Combat Vehicle Procurement, Redirects Funds to Air and Drone Defence Estonia made headlines this week when the government cancelled its €500 million procurement of new infantry fighting vehicles, redirecting the entire budget toward air defence, drone defence, and situational awareness. Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said the decision was driven by lessons from […]
Baltic Defence Weekly – No. 76 (30 March–5 April 2026): Frankenburg Tops Baltic Startup Ranking, Mark I Missile World First, and Estonian Defence Revenue Up 350%
Frankenburg Technologies Tops Ranking of Most Innovative Baltic Defence Startups A panel of 34 defence experts from across the Baltic states ranked Frankenburg Technologies as the most innovative defence industry startup in the region, with Origin Robotics (Latvia) and Unmanned Defense Systems (Lithuania) taking second and third place. The ranking, compiled by Delfi Media, named […]
Baltic Defence Weekly – No. 73 (9–15 March 2026): Wolfram Europa Breaks Cover, HEVI Optronics Acquired, and Five Nations Launch Anti-Drone Missile Programme
Wolfram Europa Exits Stealth Mode with Mass Manufacturing Defence Mission Estonian defence company Wolfram Europa stepped into the spotlight this week, announcing its mission of mass manufacturing for defence and hiring Magnus-Valdemar Saar, former director general of the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (RKIK), as CEO. Former RKIK deputy Katri Raudsepp joined as COO. The […]
Baltic Defence Weekly – No. 72 (2–8 March 2026): Hanwha’s €100m Estonia Investment, Lithuanian Tank Assembly Plant, and Europe’s Drone Manufacturing Challenge
Hanwha Aerospace Announces €100m Investment in Estonia’s Defence Industry South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace announced a sweeping €100 million investment package aimed at transforming Estonia into a strategic hub for land systems across the Nordic and Baltic region. The centrepiece of the deal is a new factory producing 40mm ammunition with an annual capacity exceeding 300,000 […]