Estonia Opens First Military Explosives Factory
Estonia has opened its first factory to produce military explosives, marking a major step in building a domestic defense industry.
Nitrotol, the company behind the facility at the Ämari mini defense industry park, officially launched operations with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said the factory strengthens Estonia’s ability to supply its own forces during a crisis while boosting exports, creating jobs, and supporting the national economy.
“By establishing such production, we are concentrating resources and knowledge in Estonia so that we can equip ourselves in a crisis if necessary,” he said.
Nitrotol’s products are already used by the Estonian Defence Forces and several NATO countries.
Jens Haug, a Nitrotol board member, highlighted the importance of collaboration with state institutions, including the Military Weapons Commission and the State Defence Investment Centre, in meeting regulatory and technical challenges.
The company plans to expand production with a second facility in Ermistu, set to begin operations by 2027.
Developing Estonia’s Defense Industry
The Ämari factory is part of a broader push to grow indigenous defense production in Estonia.
Since 2021, the State Defence Investment Centre has supported small-scale manufacturing projects in explosives, vehicle components, and training equipment.
Companies like Milrem Robotics, known for unmanned ground vehicles, have collaborated with authorities to produce locally while meeting NATO standards.
By 2024, Estonia’s domestic defense sector had expanded to include ammunition and military hardware. Nitrotol’s Ermistu facility will add capacity for explosives and support both national forces and allied nations.
