Opportunities for Cooperation between Estonia and ... - Valitsus

Because of the high level of Finnish technology, it is strategically important
to identify opportunities for cooperation in the research and development
activities carried out by the Estonian and Finnish defence industries.
Additionally, it is advisable to consider joint purchases of armaments. If
necessary, this type of cooperation could be extended to other Baltic and Nordic
countries. Considering the duties and needs of the Estonian defence forces,
the biggest projects undertaken to date have been successful. For example,
the delivery of armoured personnel carriers from Finland completed one of the
most extensive and important purchasing projects ever launched in Estonia.
A debate has been conducted in Finland as to whether it would be advisable
to extend defence cooperation in the surveillance of sea areas primarily to
the Baltic countries and, if possible, Russia. This means the extension of the
cooperation in the surveillance of sea areas currently being carried out between
Finland and Sweden and potential cooperation in air space surveillance as
well.
By 2011, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are required make a decision as to how
their air space surveillance will be organized from 2018. When the various
options are weighed, it would be advisable to look into the possibilities of
making use of the capabilities and hardware available from NATO’s PfP partner
Finland.
Estonia and Finland participate, together with Ireland and Norway, in the
operations of the EU’s Nordic Battlegroup. It has proved to be a useful way of
gaining experience in international defence cooperation. Other tasks of growing
importance are to enhance civil-military coordination and provide development
aid to third countries.
Recommendation:
• A joint Estonian-Finnish working group on defence cooperation between
Estonia and Finland should be established to invite experts to explore the
potential for defence cooperation on a broad front.
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