중동부유럽

For Estonia, geography has long been destiny. The country’s proximity to various empires, many of which occupied its territory over centuries, has become a defining element of its history and culture. Today, concerns related to its border with a revanchist Russia are one of the defining features of the conversations and actions of not just those in the defense sector, but entrepreneurs, investors, and everyday citizens. Thanks to Russia’s war against Ukraine, fears of a potential Russian invasion have skyrocketed. Many in Estonia see the fight as existential not only for the Ukrainian people but also for those in countries that were previously subjugated under the yoke of Russian imperialism. However, the war in Ukraine has also brought a remarkable sense of solidarity to the country. Today, the nation is largely united in preparing for the threat of Russian aggression, with everyone playing a role.Estonia offers a unique look into how a whole-of-nation approach can be developed to counter foreign adversaries and a future defense industry in a conflict-ridden world increasingly dominated by cyber, hybrid and grey zone tactics, dual-use technologies, and AI. But while the local defense-tech ecosystem is evolving extraordinarily rapidly, it is important to examine the current status quo to understand what has allowed the country to become a defense hub so quickly.