Latest news with #Pevkur
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Too much at stake for US military to quit Europe, Estonian minister says
By Andrius Sytas TALLINN (Reuters) - The U.S. administration may want to focus less on protecting Europe, but a military presence is too valuable for securing NATO's flank and projecting influence for it to pull out entirely, Estonia's defence minister has said. Hanno Pevkur told Reuters on Monday the U.S. might reposition some troops to focus more on the Indo-Pacific, but said there had been no discussion within the Western NATO alliance about any reduction of U.S. forces in Europe. "I do not believe that the U.S. will withdraw its troops from Europe," Pevkur said. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told NATO allies in February that "stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe". Such comments have fuelled European fears about the U.S. commitment to NATO, along with Trump's threats not to protect members that spend too little on defence, and his reluctance to keep supporting Ukraine's fight against Russian invasion. But Pevkur said Hegseth had also stressed that NATO was important to the United States. "(For that) you need to be present," he said. In addition, major U.S. bases such as those in Italy and Germany allowed Washington to project power around the world. The U.S. currently has about 80,000 troops in Europe. "The base in Naples, the base in Ramstein - those are very critical for U.S. global interests. And securing the eastern flank is very important for the United States," Pevkur said. The U.S. military has been present in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania almost continuously since April 2014, shortly after Russia seized Ukraine's Crimean peninsula. As neighbours of Russia that were annexed into the Soviet Union in the 1940s, the Baltic states were particularly alarmed by Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Estonia has committed to spending about 5.4% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defence within the next four years, which would put it near the top of European NATO members, who average only 2% of GDP. Pevkur said an average of 4% was needed for the continent to restore its military capabilities, but would be difficult to achieve at NATO's summit in June, as many countries are heavily indebted, and those further from Russia are less keen to spend. Trump has called for NATO countries to spend 5% of GDP on defence, while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said new NATO military capability targets imply defence spending "north of" 3% of GDP.
Straits Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Too much at stake for US military to quit Europe, Estonian minister says
Too much at stake for US military to quit Europe, Estonian minister says TALLINN - The U.S. administration may want to focus less on protecting Europe, but a military presence is too valuable for securing NATO's flank and projecting influence for it to pull out entirely, Estonia's defence minister has said. Hanno Pevkur told Reuters on Monday the U.S. might reposition some troops to focus more on the Indo-Pacific, but said there had been no discussion within the Western NATO alliance about any reduction of U.S. forces in Europe. "I do not believe that the U.S. will withdraw its troops from Europe," Pevkur said. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told NATO allies in February that "stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe". Such comments have fuelled European fears about the U.S. commitment to NATO, along with Trump's threats not to protect members that spend too little on defence, and his reluctance to keep supporting Ukraine's fight against Russian invasion. But Pevkur said Hegseth had also stressed that NATO was important to the United States. "(For that) you need to be present," he said. In addition, major U.S. bases such as those in Italy and Germany allowed Washington to project power around the world. The U.S. currently has about 80,000 troops in Europe. "The base in Naples, the base in Ramstein - those are very critical for U.S. global interests. And securing the eastern flank is very important for the United States," Pevkur said. The U.S. military has been present in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania almost continuously since April 2014, shortly after Russia seized Ukraine's Crimean peninsula. As neighbours of Russia that were annexed into the Soviet Union in the 1940s, the Baltic states were particularly alarmed by Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Estonia has committed to spending about 5.4% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defence within the next four years, which would put it near the top of European NATO members, who average only 2% of GDP. Pevkur said an average of 4% was needed for the continent to restore its military capabilities, but would be difficult to achieve at NATO's summit in June, as many countries are heavily indebted, and those further from Russia are less keen to spend. Trump has called for NATO countries to spend 5% of GDP on defence, while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said new NATO military capability targets imply defence spending "north of" 3% of GDP. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Too much at stake for US military to quit Europe, Estonian minister says
Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur speaks during an interview in Tallinn, Estonia, April 28, 2025. REUTERS/Janis Laizans/File Photo TALLINN (Reuters) - The U.S. administration may want to focus less on protecting Europe, but a military presence is too valuable for securing NATO's flank and projecting influence for it to pull out entirely, Estonia's defence minister has said. Hanno Pevkur told Reuters on Monday the U.S. might reposition some troops to focus more on the Indo-Pacific, but said there had been no discussion within the Western NATO alliance about any reduction of U.S. forces in Europe. "I do not believe that the U.S. will withdraw its troops from Europe," Pevkur said. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told NATO allies in February that "stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe". Such comments have fuelled European fears about the U.S. commitment to NATO, along with Trump's threats not to protect members that spend too little on defence, and his reluctance to keep supporting Ukraine's fight against Russian invasion. But Pevkur said Hegseth had also stressed that NATO was important to the United States. "(For that) you need to be present," he said. In addition, major U.S. bases such as those in Italy and Germany allowed Washington to project power around the world. The U.S. currently has about 80,000 troops in Europe. "The base in Naples, the base in Ramstein - those are very critical for U.S. global interests. And securing the eastern flank is very important for the United States," Pevkur said. The U.S. military has been present in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania almost continuously since April 2014, shortly after Russia seized Ukraine's Crimean peninsula. As neighbours of Russia that were annexed into the Soviet Union in the 1940s, the Baltic states were particularly alarmed by Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Estonia has committed to spending about 5.4% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defence within the next four years, which would put it near the top of European NATO members, who average only 2% of GDP. Pevkur said an average of 4% was needed for the continent to restore its military capabilities, but would be difficult to achieve at NATO's summit in June, as many countries are heavily indebted, and those further from Russia are less keen to spend. Trump has called for NATO countries to spend 5% of GDP on defence, while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said new NATO military capability targets imply defence spending "north of" 3% of GDP. (Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Tallinn; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Reuters
29-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Too much at stake for US military to quit Europe, Estonian minister says
TALLINN, April 29 (Reuters) - The U.S. administration may want to focus less on protecting Europe, but a military presence is too valuable for securing NATO's flank and projecting influence for it to pull out entirely, Estonia's defence minister has said. Hanno Pevkur told Reuters on Monday the U.S. might reposition some troops to focus more on the Indo-Pacific, but said there had been no discussion within the Western NATO alliance about any reduction of U.S. forces in Europe. "I do not believe that the U.S. will withdraw its troops from Europe," Pevkur said. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told NATO allies in February that "stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe". Such comments have fuelled European fears about the U.S. commitment to NATO, along with Trump's threats not to protect members that spend too little on defence, and his reluctance to keep supporting Ukraine's fight against Russian invasion. But Pevkur said Hegseth had also stressed that NATO was important to the United States. "(For that) you need to be present," he said. In addition, major U.S. bases such as those in Italy and Germany allowed Washington to project power around the world. The U.S. currently has about 80,000 troops in Europe. "The base in Naples, the base in Ramstein - those are very critical for U.S. global interests. And securing the eastern flank is very important for the United States," Pevkur said. The U.S. military has been present in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania almost continuously since April 2014, shortly after Russia seized Ukraine's Crimean peninsula. As neighbours of Russia that were annexed into the Soviet Union in the 1940s, the Baltic states were particularly alarmed by Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Estonia has committed to spending about 5.4% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defence within the next four years, which would put it near the top of European NATO members, who average only 2% of GDP. Pevkur said an average of 4% was needed for the continent to restore its military capabilities, but would be difficult to achieve at NATO's summit in June, as many countries are heavily indebted, and those further from Russia are less keen to spend. Trump has called for NATO countries to spend 5% of GDP on defence, while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said new NATO military capability targets imply defence spending "north of" 3% of GDP.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Estonia to launch explosives factory in regional rush for ammunition
WARSAW, Poland — Seeking higher domestic ammunition production capacities, the Estonian government has approved a project to build a plant that will make RDX-type explosives. The investment is considered as key for the country's plans to boost its 155mm artillery ammunition production capabilities, but also for exporting explosives to other countries facing shortages across the region, according to senior officials. Estonia's authorities have authorized the Ministry of Finance to set up a new company, Hexest AS, that is to be established in the coming weeks. The business will operate the designed RDX production facility, and it 'will be handed over to the Ministry of Defence in up to six months,' the government said in a statement. RDX is a highly energetic explosive chemical compound commonly used in military applications. 'There is a shortage of explosives production capacity in Europe, so building new capacity is essential to ensure security of supply for companies in Estonia and the wider region,' said Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur. 'The explosives plant will make Estonia more attractive as a location for the defense industry.' The state will initially own all the company's shares, but Tallinn plans to involve a strategic investor for the plant in the future. Meanwhile, the Estonian government is also readying to accommodate new ammunition plants. The cabinet is currently making efforts to settle domestic and foreign manufacturers of weapons, ammunition and equipment in different locations, among others at the defense industry park in Ämari. 'In addition to the 'mini defense industry park' in Ämari, we are also developing a national defense industry park, for which we also do not set limits on production, allowing the production of 155mm shells among other products,' a spokesperson for the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) told Defense News. 'It is up to defense companies to come up with production projects. The government will provide a conducive environment,' the spokesperson said. Under the plan, the ECDI will host public tenders to select investors this year. 'The establishment of an explosives plant in Estonia will be a strong added value for the Defence Industrial Park and the ammunition producers that will be operating there,' said Pevkur. Production activities at the RDX factory in Ämari are expected to begin in 2028. As part of the project, an initial contribution of up to €7.2 million ($8.2 million) will 'cover the costs of the technical design and preparatory activities. The technical design will take about a year to complete and the final investment decision will be based on its results,' the government statement said. Earlier this year, the Estonian military received the first batch of Caesar 155mm self-propelled howitzers it ordered from KNDS. Tallinn purchased 12 units in June 2024, with an option to order a further six. The howitzers will be part of Estonia's newly established 3rd self-propelled artillery battalion operating under the command of the Estonian Division, the main combat unit of the country's land forces. In the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a number of Eastern European allies have intensified efforts to develop their domestic ammunition production capacities, often seeking partnerships with major foreign groups. In Lithuania, Rheinmetall is advancing a project to build a plant where it will make 155mm artillery ammunition. The plant in Baisogala is to launch operations in mid-2026. As part of the investment worth around €180 million, some 150 jobs are to be created locally. Giedrimas Jeglinskas, the chairman of the Lithuanian parliament's Committee on National Security and Defence, told Defense News that Vilnius aims to attract more defense industry players, and is determined to support potential investors with various types of assistance, including financial aid. In Poland, the country's authorities have allocated around 3 billion zloty ($798 million) to fund investments in expanding the nation's ammunition production capacities, with a particular focus on 155mm artillery shells. The funds are to be provided to producers who will carry out projects in ramping up Poland-based ammunition manufacturing capacities.
