The Defence Forces are modernizing armament, procuring munition, and complementing stocks for the entire rapid response force For strengthening armoured warfare, self-propelled artillery will be introduced into service. The Defence Forces will take UAVs into use to develop early warning and recce capabilities. In spring 2017, the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup started operating as a part of the 1st Infantry Brigade. Small arms The Galil and AK4 assault rifles and other handheld firearms and light machine guns that have been in the use of the Defence Forces and its defence structure for over 20 years will be replaced with lighter, more accurate and more effective models. The Javelin anti-tank missile system In order to strengthen the Defence Forces’ anti-armor capabilities, both infantry brigades will be equipped with third generation Javelin anti-tank missile systems. Equipped with a “fire and forget” guidance system, the Javelin has an effective range of over 4 km. During the development planning period, the new generation anti-tank capabilities will also be improved. Self-propelled artillery Infantry Fighting Vehicles The Estonian Defence Forces will procure at least 12 K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers from South Korea, which will take the combat capability of the Defence forces to a new level. The artillery’s engagement response speed and manoeuvre capability will grow rapidly. Adopted at the turn of the millennium, the K9 is a modern self-propelled artillery gun that has great terrain coverage, high armoured defence and strong firepower (firing range 40 km, 50 km with special ammunition), and the ability to keep up with tanks and mechanized infantry. To increase armoured manoeuvring capability, 44 CV9035NL Infantry Fighting Vehicles and auxiliary vehicles based on the Leopard I tank were procured. The new fighting vehicles are equipped with 35-mm cannons (effective firing range 4 km, rate of fire 200 rounds per minute), machine gun and fragment and smoke grenade firing tubes. Howitzers An additional artillery battalion will be established within the 2nd Infantry Brigade, which will receive a 122 mm weapons system (firing range 15 km, 22 km with special ammunition) and the necessary auxiliary vehicles. K9 Thunder self-propelled artillery