Ämari Air Base is Ready to Host Allies Again

Today, the Ämari Air Base's renovated runway was reopened, allowing to continue hosting NATO's air policing mission in Estonia and the return of Estonian Air Force's aircrafts, temporarily stationed at Pärnu airfield.

"NATO's air security is extremely important on its eastern flank, and I am delighted that, with Luxembourg's help, we have been able to significantly improve the quality of Ämari Air Base, better support and service both our own and ally aircraft, and most importantly, bring the Baltic air policing missions back to Estonia," said Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur.

"The Estonian Air Force and allies require top-level conditions for various operations, and for this, a ready-to-operate airbase is essential. During the renovation, the airfield and taxiways received new surfacing, new airfield markings, and lighting were installed. In the Western portfolio, Ämari Air Base is our main focus; besides the airfield, a new catering complex and barracks are nearing completion," stated Steven Linkov, the Western Portfolio Manager at the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI).

"The airfield is a critical operational infrastructure element; without it, there would be no Ämari Air Base or allied air operations at Ämari. Thanks to the freshly renovated runway, the base can continue, in cooperation with allies, to ensure the presence, positioning, and operations of NATO air policing units in Estonia. Ultimately, our goal is one – to ensure the inviolability of Estonian, regional, and NATO airspace, being quickly and decisively ready to respond to any threats," said Lieutenant Colonel Maanus Nigul, the commander of Ämari Air Base.

The Ämari runway was renovated by KMG Infra OÜ, whose board member, Indrek Pappel, described the work as challenging because it involved designing, developing special solutions, and renovating the runway and surface replacement all within a short period.

"The construction process was complex because we only got a clear picture of the actual state of the runway after opening the structures. As some of the special solutions used have long delivery times, the timeframe set for the works required very rapid action and close cooperation between all parties. We are very grateful to the representatives of  ECDI and Ämari Air Base for their professional action and proud as infrastructure builders that we could contribute to strengthening Estonia's defense capability," said Indrek Pappel, the CEO of KMG Infra OÜ.

The renovation of the Ämari air traffic area cost approximately 18.5 million euros. In January of this year, on the sidelines of the informal meeting of European defense ministers, Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur and Luxembourg's Defense Minister Yuriko Backes signed a bilateral agreement under which Luxembourg contributed 12 million euros to the renovation of the airfield at Ämari Air Base.

The development of Ämari Air Base is one of the main priorities of ECDI´s the Western portfolio in the coming years. Nordlin Ehitus OÜ is currently building the largest catering complex in the Baltics, and Merko Ehitus is constructing three barracks, and a mini-defense industry park is also being developed in the area.