Estonia must double its defense spending over the next two years to stockpile enough ammunition to be able to deal a decisive defeat to Russian forces in the event of an invasion. This was stated by the head of the country's army, General Martin Herem, quoted by Reuters.

He suggested that neither the threat of a nuclear response nor the prospect of significant casualties would deter President Vladimir Putin if he chose to attack the tiny Baltic country, which would be devastated unless it quickly repulsed the attack.

"The decisive victory must come very quickly: not in months and years, but in days and weeks," Herem stressed in Japan, where he met with defense officials. "If we really think this can happen in three years, then we have to make decisions today."

Yesterday, Putin categorically denied that Russia had plans to attack any NATO member. However, his forces' invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has raised concerns among Western countries that he may seek to restore Moscow's control over much of the former Soviet Union, or go even further.

Estonia, a former Soviet republic, has already increased its defense budget to around 3% of gross domestic product since Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

Institute for the Study of War: Russia Prepares for Full-scale War with NATO

Last month, its foreign intelligence service said Russia was preparing for a military confrontation with the West in the next decade and was determined to double the number of forces stationed along its border with the Baltic states and Finland.

Other NATO countries are increasing their presence in the Baltic states. Germany plans to have 4,800 troops in the region by 2027, its first permanent overseas deployment since World War II.

Herem indicated that he had discussed with Japanese defense ministry officials in Tokyo the acquisition of components that could help Estonia build defense equipment more cheaply.

Although pacifist Japan has strict restrictions on defense exports, it has fewer restrictions on commercially available components that can also be used in military equipment. Herem specified that this could include earthquake sensors suitable for detecting approaching Russian tanks.

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