Estonian Navy Prepares for Fleet Renewal

The Estonian Navy is preparing for a significant upgrade of its fleet, with three ships currently under repair expected to return to service soon, and a procurement process underway for four new vessels.

Minesweepers "Sakala" and "Admiral Cowan" were damaged last winter – one due to electrical issues, the other due to severe ice conditions. The Ministry of Defense initially predicted repairs would be completed by the end of summer, but the timeline has shortened. According to Gert Kaju, head of a department at the Ministry of Defense, both ships should be back in service in July, though some trials may be needed. He also noted that despite the absence of two ships, the Navy's response capability remains intact as other vessels are available.

Currently, the patrol ship "Raju" awaits scheduled repairs at the Pärnu dock. However, earlier this month, while being docked, it sustained damage to its propellers.

Simultaneously, the Center for Defense Investment is working on a tender to purchase four new ships for the Navy – two for open-sea operations and two for coastal defense. Four companies are participating: two from South Korea, Sweden's "Saab", and Estonia's "Baltic Workboats".

Marek Mardo, head of the Navy category at the Center for Defense Investment, stated that all proposals will be reviewed in August, a second round is planned for August-September, and a final decision is expected by the end of the year. Regardless of the winner's nationality, 30% of the work must be carried out by Estonian companies. The new ships are expected to enter service in 2030.