Estonia fortifies for defense: 600 bunkers planned amid tensions
The Estonian Defense Forces plan to construct 600 battle shelters on both state-owned and private lands. According to the ERR portal, by the beginning of summer, the military will select one of the two types of bunkers tested last year, allowing construction to commence in a few months.
The first resistance point, including 14 shelters, is set to be built in the fall in the northeastern part of the country, with the following four in the southeast. The bunkers' design draws from experiences in the war in Ukraine—the structures are intended to withstand shelling from 150-millimetre artillery ammunition, a standard weapon of the Russian army.
Although the Estonian bunkers were not explicitly adapted to repel drone attacks, their construction should provide sufficient protection. As explained by Ainar Afanasjev, head of the engineering department of the Estonian division, special nets will provide additional protection against drones.
The defense network will include shelters, anti-tank barriers, and firing positions. Some infrastructure elements are planned to be built only in a crisis situation.
Cost and distribution of bunkers
The total cost of the project is estimated to be 60 million euros. Most bunkers will be built on state land, although some will be constructed on private plots.
As officials emphasize, the state does not need to purchase them—obtaining usage rights is enough, as a single bunker will cover about 50 square metres.
Each shelter will have an area of 30–35 square metres, with a standard crew of 10 soldiers.
The fortifications are expected to allow for extended maintenance of combat positions and offer sleeping arrangements for assigned subunits. However, no permanent protection of these facilities is planned.
Does Estonia count on NATO support?
The Estonian Defense Forces, with a population of 1.35 million, consists of 4,200 professional soldiers and about 40,000 reservists. However, fully staffing the bunkers will require 6,000 military personnel, necessitating prior mobilization of reserves.
The Ukrainian portal Militarny speculates that Estonian defense infrastructure may also be prepared with NATO troops in mind, who could man some of the fortifications.
