Estonian Defence Forces training still has not begun in pause year

The Estonian Defence Forces have accepted far fewer conscripts this year to give active personnel more time for additional and advanced training, but the intensive training period has not yet begun, ERR reported.

In 2026, the Defence Forces are taking in about 1,200 conscripts, compared with roughly 4,000 in previous years. Most are young people who want to remain connected with the Defence Forces in the future.

The pause year was intended to give active personnel more opportunity for comprehensive additional training. The Defence Forces said the intensive training period is only now beginning, as all conscripts who started their service last year have been transferred to the reserve.

Changes to the basic soldier training course have been prepared, along with instructors who will introduce the updated curriculum and training methods in units. The instructors’ training levels have been standardised and the organisation of future training has been established, the Defence Forces told ERR.

The training programme will focus mainly on three areas: strengthening soldiers’ basic skills, counter-drone training and marksmanship.

Basic skills training is intended to help soldiers survive longer by protecting personnel, weapons and equipment from detection and enemy fire. Counter-drone and marksmanship training involve newer knowledge and skills that are constantly evolving in the context of the war in Ukraine.

Although the number of conscripts is more than three times lower than usual, the reduction has not affected all units equally. Some units needed the same number of conscripts for their activities, making this year similar to any other.

The Defence Forces expect to recruit more conscripts next year, with a target of 4,700. Each year, the Defence Resources Agency assesses the health of nearly 10,000 young people aged 18 to 27. To meet the 2027 target of 4,100 conscripts, the agency is focusing on young people who have not yet entered service.

“It is not yet known how many of the young people who did not enter service this year will receive a deferment. We can assess that only after the admission process at schools has ended, when the number of young people continuing their studies and applying for a deferment is known,” said Daisi Želizko-Kask, the Defence Resources Agency’s head of marketing and communications.

Young people who do not begin studies and have no other grounds for postponing their service will be directed into service in 2027, she said.

Officials currently consider it realistic to call up approximately 4,000 conscripts annually until 2040, when the low birth rate among earlier generations of boys is expected to have a significant impact.

The pause year has not affected the number of active personnel, according to the Defence Resources Agency.