Estonia, a Tiny NATO Nation, Is Cashing In on the Threat Next Door

Estonia, a small NATO member nation, is investing heavily in its defense industry to counter potential threats from Russia. The country's tech-savvy workforce is developing new weapons and defense systems, including a miniature missile called the Mark 1 that can shoot down enemy drones at short range. Estonia's government sees this investment as crucial for boosting the economy and providing reassurance of national security. With a population of about 1.3 million people, Estonia has neither the capacity to build traditional military equipment nor a large budget for buying foreign weapons. Instead, it is leveraging its digital expertise to produce defense systems reliant on robotics, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. The country's defense industry has seen significant growth in recent years, with exports accounting for about 70% of its production.

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