Estonia is reforming conscription based on the experience of the Russian-Ukrainian war
Estonia plans to reform conscription based on the experience of the Russian-Ukrainian war. This was stated by Major General Andrus Merilo
Here's What We Know
Estonia is considering a reasonable reform of conscription. Merilo, the commander of the country's Defence Forces, proposes to devote 2026 to training military personnel to improve the quality of training for conscripts.
Merilo explained that in 2026, they plan to reduce the number of conscripts from 3,800 to around 1,000 to focus on training instructors who pass on the experience gained during the Russian-Ukrainian war. The reform will ensure that the system is improved without increasing the length of service, which remains 12 months.
Andrus Merilo. Illustration: ERR
The Defence Forces are currently working on effective concepts to improve conscription so that servicemen and women are better prepared for modern challenges. Merilo also said that the proposed concept of an "intermediate year" is still at the conceptual stage and needs to be worked out in detail.
"For example, we continue to emphasise physical training. We have come to see it as an integral part of combat readiness. However, a change in the concept of conscription is necessary one way or another. What we developed 20 years ago and have maintained until now with minor cosmetic changes based on the lessons of the Ukrainian war may no longer be as effective," the commander said.
He also noted that raising the level of instructors from among the career military is necessary in any case, as Estonia is now learning a lot from the experience gained on the battlefield between Ukraine and Russia.
Source: ERR
