Martin Herem
In undertaking to perform the duties of a member of the Government of the Republic, I am aware that I shall bear responsibility in this office before the Republic of Estonia and my conscience. I solemnly swear to remain faithful to the constitutional order of the Republic of Estonia and to devote my strength to securing the welfare and future of the people of Estonia.
16 September 2026, Tallinn
Minister of Defence of the Republic of Estonia since 16 September 2026.
Martin Herem was born on 17 December 1973. He is married and has three children.
Work and Career
- In 2024-2026, he worked as a military adviser to defence industry companies.
- In 2018-2024, he served as Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces.
- In 2016-2018, he served as Chief of Staff of the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces.
- In 2013-2016, he was Commandant of the Estonian Military Academy.
- In 2008-2012, he was Commander of the North-Eastern Defence District.
- In 1996-2007, he served in the Estonian Defence Forces as a platoon commander, company commander and staff officer.
education
Martin Herem graduated from the Estonian National Defence College, specialising in military leadership in the Land Forces, and obtained a Master’s degree in Military Science in 2012. He has also completed the Higher Command Studies Course at the Baltic Defence College. His native language is Estonian. He also speaks English and Russian.
decorations
- 2024 – The Ministry of Defence Cross of Merit, First Class
- 2024 – Order of the Cross of the Eagle, First Class
- 2023 – Order of Viesturs of Latvia, First Class
- 2021 – Commander of the Legion of Honour of the French Republic
- 2018 – Order of the Cross of the Eagle, Second Class
- 2012 – The Ministry of Defence Cross of Merit, Third Class
other
During the 2026/2027 academic year, Martin Herem is a Visiting Professor at the University of Tartu.
About the job of the Minister of Defence
The Minister of Defencde chairs the Ministry of defence and is responsible for its area of governance.
The Minister is appointed and released from office by the President of the Republic.
- The Minister of Defence is responsible for the organisation of national defence in the Republic of Estonia.
- The Minister of Defence leads the Ministry of Defence and decides on the matters within its area of government. Additionally, the Minister reports on the activities of the Ministry of Defence to the Government of the Republic and submits proposals on deciding over issues related to the Ministry's area of government.
- The Minister of Defence appoints service commanders and makes a proposal to the Government to appoint the Commander of the Defence Forces and the Chief of the General Staff of the Defence Forces and release them from office.
- The Minister of Defence appoints the heads of state authorities belonging to the Ministry's area of government as well as the deputy secretary generals and the heads of departments of the Ministry.
- The Minister of Defence makes proposals to the Government on the Ministry's budget and supplementary budget, if appropriate. At the same time, he decides on the use of budget resources and monitors the implementation of the budget. The Minister also approves the budgets of the state authorities belonging to the Ministry's area of government on the basis of the state budget.
- The Minister of Defence decides on the establishment of the state authorities belonging to the Ministry's area of administration and approves their statutes, structure, and work organisation.
Ministry of Defence
The Ministry of Defence is responsible for organising national defence. The functions of the Ministry include making proposals for planning national defence politics, implementing the planned activities, and the organisation of national defence.
Organisation of work of the Government of the Republic
The government implements the state’s domestic and foreign policy. The government makes decisions on a collegial basis on behalf of the executive. The competence of ministers in managing ministries and the areas of responsibility of ministers are determined with an order of the prime minister.
