Estonia to build 600 bunkers as defence strategy evolves
The Estonian Defence Forces are planning 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 start in a few months.
The first resistance point, comprising 14 shelters, is scheduled to be built in the autumn in the north-eastern part of the country, with the next four in the south-east. The bunkers' design draws from experiences in the war in Ukraine. They are intended to withstand shelling from 152mm artillery ammunition, a standard weapon of the Russian army.
Although the Estonian bunkers have not been specifically 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, additional protection against drones will be provided by special nets.
The defence network will include not only shelters but also 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. Most bunkers will be built on state land, although some will be constructed on private plots.
As officials emphasise, the state does not need to purchase them—it is enough to obtain usage rights, 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, also offering sleeping arrangements for assigned subunits. However, no permanent protection of these facilities is planned.
Does Estonia count on NATO support?
The Estonian Defence Forces, with a country population of 1.35 million people, consist of 4,200 professional soldiers and about 40,000 reservists. However, fully staffing the bunkers will require 6,000 military personnel, necessitating prior mobilisation of reserves.
The Ukrainian portal Militarny speculates that Estonian defence infrastructure may also be prepared with NATO troops in mind, who could man some of the fortifications.
Source: Belsat
