The US Congress on 3 February approved the defence budget and funding for overseas missions, both of which include security assistance for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania; Estonia was allocated $10 million through the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) defence assistance programme.
In total, Congress allocated $200 million to the US–Baltic defence assistance programme and the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI).
The BSI was established in 2020 to develop the Baltic states’ independent defence capabilities and strengthen their interoperability.
Through the initiative, a total of $231 million was allocated to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in 2025; $228 million in 2024; $225 million in 2023; $180 million in 2022; and $169 million in 2021. The amounts are apportioned differently among the three countries each year, depending on capability needs.
Funds used to buy US defence industry equipment
In addition, over the years the Baltic states have also received security assistance through the US Department of State’s Foreign Military Financing programme.
Via FMF, Estonia received $10 million in 2025; $9.8 million in 2024; $9.8 million in 2023; $168.5 million in 2022; and $21.1 million in 2021. Estonia’s unusually large allocation in 2022 was intended for the procurement of ammunition for the HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system.
Funding allocated through both programmes is used to procure US defence industry equipment, services or training.
Alongside HIMARS ammunition, US security assistance has been used to acquire equipment supporting integrated air and missile defence, communications and connectivity systems, night-vision devices, ammunition – including Javelin missiles and large-calibre artillery shells – coastal surveillance radars, monitoring systems, and battlefield medical supplies.
