Non-profit organisations and citizen’s voluntary initiative have an important role to play in dissemination and development of the defence will. Wider dissemination of national defence related knowledge and skills can be organised by way of the National Defence Course at schools, Senior Courses in National Defence and support of non-profit organisations which deal with the development of national defence.
The Ministry of Defence supports and encourages the activities of intergovernmental organisations which strengthen national defence and the defence will. By involving citizens of the state to the national defence in wider sense, we strengthen the independence of Estonia and secure our freedom.
Surveys
Since 2001, the Ministry of Defence has regularly commissioned nationwide public opinion surveys. The purpose of these surveys is to assess public attitudes and perceptions regarding national defence and security-related issues.
The survey reports provide background information, present the main findings, and include an overall summary of the results. The surveys examine:
- attitudes towards the Estonian state;
- public trust in institutions, including defence and security organisations;
- perceptions of potential threats and security risks in Estonia and internationally;
- the population’s willingness to defend the country and likely behaviour in the event of threats to Estonia;
- assessments of Estonia’s defence capabilities and the state’s activities in the field of national defence;
- attitudes towards conscription and other defence-related institutions;
- perceptions of NATO and developments related to the Alliance;
- attitudes towards international military operations.
In addition, the population’s willingness to contribute to national defence is examined through the Comprehensive Study of Defence Forces Human Resources, which provides a broader understanding of defence attitudes and motivations within Estonian society.
Files:
The Defence Forces Human Resources Comprehensive Study is conducted by the Estonian Military Academy with the aim of gathering information on the attitudes, opinions, and experiences of conscripts in order to support better decision-making in the management and organisation of military service.
The study also enables long-term analysis of changes in the attitudes and perceptions of conscripts over time. Surveys are conducted twice during conscript service: once at the beginning of service and once upon its completion.
The study is carried out in cooperation between the Estonian Defence Forces and the University of Tartu.
Participation in the study is strictly confidential. Responses provided by participants are anonymised and are not linked to individual identities.
Each year, the Minister of Defence submits a report to the Government of the Republic on the fulfilment of military service obligations and the organisation of military service during the previous year.
The report focuses on:
- the fulfilment of conscription obligations by eligible citizens;
- the assessment of suitability for professional military service;
- participation of reservists in refresher training exercises.
The report provides an overview of the implementation of Estonia’s military service system and its contribution to maintaining the readiness and effectiveness of the national defence reserve.
Publications
The Estonian Defence Forces Yearbook provides an overview of the most significant events of the past year and highlights key developments across various areas of activity within the Defence Forces.
The Yearbook features articles and analyses by subject-matter experts and is intended for the Defence Forces’ partners, service members, and the wider public. It offers insights into current developments, achievements, and future priorities in Estonia’s national defence.
The Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service publishes an annual report entitled “Estonia in the International Security Environment.”
First published in 2016, the report was the Foreign Intelligence Service’s first publication intended for the wider public. Previously, the agency’s assessments, analyses, and reports were available only to a limited circle of policymakers and government officials.
The mission of the Foreign Intelligence Service is to ensure that Estonia’s national leadership has access to the best possible threat assessments. By publishing the report, the agency also shares these assessments and insights with the public.
The report provides an overview of developments in the international security environment, emerging threats, and trends that may affect Estonia’s security and national interests.
Magazine is published six times a year and features expert analyses and articles on soldiers and warfare, weapons and equipment, Allies, and potential adversaries.
The magazine is intended both for defence professionals and for citizens interested in national defence and security matters. Its articles are written by professional service members of the Estonian Defence Forces as well as experts from a wide range of fields.
Through in-depth analysis and commentary, Soldier Magazine provides readers with insights into military affairs, defence policy, operational developments, and broader security issues relevant to Estonia and its Allies.
Soldier Newspaper (Sõdurileht) is the official publication of the Estonian Defence Forces, published since 1994. It covers military service and Defence Forces activities through articles, reports, and photography.
Under the Sõdurileht title, a printed newspaper continues to be produced and published by conscripts. The publication provides conscripts with an opportunity to contribute to military communications and share experiences from service.
The newspaper is distributed to and read by conscripts serving in the Estonian Defence Forces.
Defence Home! (Kaitse Kodu!) is the official magazine of the Estonian Defence League and is published eight times a year.
The magazine offers engaging and informative reading for both dedicated military enthusiasts and anyone interested in national defence. Its content covers a wide range of topics, including defence and security issues, military training, voluntary national defence, history, equipment, and the activities of the Estonian Defence League and its affiliated organisations.
Websites
Since the restoration of independence, Estonia’s military defence has undergone a remarkable transformation, the scale and impact of which can be illustrated through a range of objective indicators.
Defence capability indicators provide insight into both overall progress and the evolution of specific areas of military development, helping to illustrate the history of Estonia’s military defence and its current state. These indicators demonstrate developments in the training of professional service members and reservists, investments in armaments and infrastructure, Estonia’s contribution to international military operations, and the overall willingness of society to contribute to national defence.
On this website, most indicators are presented using one of two reference points: 1998, providing a perspective of more than two decades of development, or 2004, the year Estonia joined NATO.
Blank data fields indicate that data were not collected for the respective year, that historical data are not directly comparable with current indicators, or that other limitations prevent the presentation of a reliable figure for that period.
In 2026, Estonia launched its first National Defence Information Portal, riigikaitsest.ee, bringing together national defence-related press releases, publications, videos, and podcasts in a single online environment.
The portal serves as a central source of information on Estonia’s national defence, providing the public with easy access to reliable and up-to-date content on defence policy, military capabilities, security issues, and the people and organisations contributing to Estonia’s defence.
Last updated: 02.06.2026
