The Ministry of Defence of Estonia has announced an extension of compulsory military service to 12 months, effective from 2027. This change will apply uniformly to all conscripts. The decision is motivated by the evolving security landscape and lessons derived from recent global military conflicts, particularly the war in Ukraine. It has been deemed necessary to implement an extended service period to effectively address the complexities associated with modern military training and the integration of advanced weapon systems.
Currently, Estonia uses two service models, with durations of 8 and 11 months, for different branches of the military, including the armoured forces, the navy, and military communications and IT specialists. As reported by the Polish News Agency PAP, General Andrus Merilo, the commander of the armed forces, has indicated that, under the new framework, conscripts will undergo six months of intensive training focused on operating weapon systems, followed by an additional six months of combat exercises. This structured approach is expected to enhance Estonia’s military forces’ readiness to respond to potential threats.
Estonia’s population is approximately 1.37 million, and the annual draft consists of around 4,000 individuals of military age. The Estonian army primarily relies on its reserve forces, which comprise approximately 230,000 citizens, or nearly 20% of the overall population.