The Estonian Air Force has resumed recruiting conscript soldiers for the first time after a 22-year pause. This was reported by the national public broadcaster ERR, citing the Baltic republic’s Defense Resources Department.

Among the conscripts is one woman; all of them will serve in the air defense division. During training, the conscripts will have to master operating the German-made IRIS-T SLM medium-range surface-to-air missile system. According to ERR, this type of system is designed to destroy aircraft, helicopters, and cruise missiles at ranges of up to 40 km and altitudes of up to 20 km.

In December 2025, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur proposed increasing mandatory military service for all conscripts to 12 months starting in 2027. According to the defense ministry, the current training system, which provides for eight or 11 months of service depending on specialty, no longer ensures the required level of training.