The Estonian Parliament will consider a draft law allowing merchant ships to sink

The Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) will consider a bill next week allowing the Navy to sink "dangerous" merchant ships, the ERR broadcasting company reports.

"The defense forces can get the right to use force to strengthen maritime security. In extreme cases, the right to sink a dangerous civilian vessel will be granted," the article says.

It is proposed to sink vessels if "it is impossible to repel the threat by other measures or it cannot be done in a timely manner." At the same time, Estonian sailors will have the right to open fire to kill not only in territorial waters, but also in the exclusive economic zone.

"This should give us the opportunity to operate not only in the territorial sea, that is, within 12 nautical miles, which we and any other country have from the coast and islands, but also in the exclusive economic zone," said the head of the parliamentary commission on State Defense, Kalev Stoicescu.

Earlier, Deputy Commander of the country's Navy Johan-Elias Seljamaa said that the Estonian Navy will take measures against ships that allegedly pose a danger to the infrastructure of the Baltic Sea, even if they are in international waters.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal previously announced that the government had approved an increase in defense spending to at least 5% of GDP in 2026. According to him, the Estonian Defense Ministry is developing a long-term financial plan, which will be presented to the government in April. Among other things, Estonia intends to build 12 ships.