Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania awaiting US approval to send arms to Ukraine: Reports
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Baltic countries seem to be eager to get involved in the ongoing crisis Over Ukraine, as Estonia increases its military budget and buys Israeli-German-made missiles.
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Estonian soldiers rest after combat training with US forces during Operation Siil, the largest training exercise ever performed in Estonia. May 11, 2018 (United States Army)
According to Politico, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia are waiting for US authorization to deliver American-made lethal weaponry to Ukraine in order to deter an alleged Russian invasion.
Politico's article said the three Baltic nations were ready to supply weaponry to Ukraine, including anti-armor and ground-to-air missiles, citing officials from the countries and sources acquainted with the situation.
Senator Jim Risch, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Politico he expects the Biden administration to approve the arms delivery to Ukraine immediately. Under US export licensing restrictions, the Baltic countries must first seek State Department clearance before transporting weapons to Ukraine.
The three Baltic countries are NATO members who have backed increasing the alliance's presence in their territories. According to the report, the State Department refused to comment on the situation and the White House did not reply to a request for comment.
Estonia to Increase National Defense Expenditure by $429.4Mln
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas announced Wednesday the cabinet had agreed to increase national defense spending by 380 million euros ($429.4 million), forcing Tallinn to beef up its defensive structure.
According to the Estonian parliament's 2022 state budget plan, which allotted 750 million euros, or 2.3% of its gross domestic product (GDP), to defense, the proposal will increase overall defense spending to 1.130 billion euros.
Kallas made statements to the Estonian parliament, as quoted by the body's official website. The Estonian PM said, "The government made a principled decision to increase national defense funding by 380 million euros so that we can act faster in the face of military and hybrid threats," adding that his country "will spend a significant part of the additional funds on ensuring a sufficient amount of equipment."
Talked to #svtagenda:
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) January 17, 2022
📍#Russia has created the current security crisis
📍#NATO is united in addressing 🇷🇺 attempts to divide Europe into spheres of influence
📍NATO is a defensive Alliance
📍NATO’s doors open to all who want to join & meet the criteriahttps://t.co/SRGzFw9xmP
Kallas stated, "The goal of the government is to implement the plans soon." Russia will not have a say in NATO decision-making, Kallas said, as Estonia is working hard to ensure that the alliance is "speaking a common language," he added.
Estonian PM concluded that "there are no signs that Moscow plans to ease tension, and we must be prepared for Russia's continuation and display of military aggression against Ukraine."
Estonia will pay $45.2 million for over 500 Anti-Armor Israeli Spike-SR Missiles
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Spike SR anti-tank missile (Eurospike GmbH's Website)
Estonia will pay 40 million euros ($45.2 million) to the German-Israeli EuroSpike firm for over 500 anti-tank Spike SR missiles, accompanying equipment, and launchers, according to an official with the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment.
"It is a disposable anti-tank missile with a range of up to two kilometers, which also can attack moving targets. The first deliveries will arrive in Estonia already in 2022," Ramil Lipp, the center's armament manager, told the Estonian ERR TV. He added that the new missiles would help Estonia's anti-tank defense capabilities greatly.
The Spike SR missiles will be used by both the Estonian Defense Forces and the paramilitary organization Defense League, according to ERR. Even if the shooter can't see the target, a camera mounted in front of the rocket helps them to aim more precisely.
EuroSpike is a joint venture between Germany's Diehl Defense and Rheinmetall Electronic firms, as well as "Israel's" Rafael armaments manufacturer, with headquarters near Nuremberg, Germany.
