On March 18, the United States delivered $3.3 million worth of radio equipment to the Estonian Defense Forces to support Estonia’s integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) capabilities. The equipment was funded by the United States European Command’s Building Partner Capacity Program (BPC), thanks to a historic $50 million appropriation for IAMD in the Baltic States by the United States Congress in Fiscal Year 2020. This delivery further strengthens U.S.-Estonia defense cooperation while ensuring interoperability among NATO Allies.
The delivery of the equipment [man-pack (AN/PRC-117G) and handheld (AN/PRC-152G) radios and batteries] to the Estonian Defense Forces is one part of multiple, ongoing BPC programs in Estonia. These programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and are designed to complement Estonian national efforts to enhance defensive capabilities, including integrated air and missile defense, maritime domain awareness, and secure communications.
The United States Embassy and Office of Defense Cooperation in Estonia work closely with the Estonian Ministry of Defense, Defense Forces, and Center for Defense Investment to align efforts related to IAMD capacity building in Estonia. The United States European Command and United States Army Program Executive Office-Missiles and Space, in cooperation with the United States Defense Security Cooperation Agency and United States Army Security Assistance Command, provide subject matter expertise and program management oversight to further joint U.S.-Estonia objectives related to IAMD.
The United States has provided and continues executing over $240 million in security assistance programs to Estonia between 2015 and 2020 and takes part in multiple exercises and military-to-military engagements between our service members each year.
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