Estonia's tech investors take defence into their own hands as Russian threat looms
Estonia leads central, eastern Europe in defence tech funding, with perceived Russia threat driving investment in the region. Region's defence tech funding rounds tripled since 2022, reaching nearly $1 billion, according to Dealroom.co data. European Union member Estonia plays an outsized role in its eastern flank, allowing close cooperation with front-line units and investing in purely military technologies.
- The surge in defence investment across eastern Europe may be seen as a cautious response to the Russia threat, but it also raises questions about the commercialization of defence technology and its potential impact on regional security.
- Will the growth of this sector lead to a blurring of lines between civilian and military innovation, potentially creating new risks and challenges for policymakers?