Showing posts with label estonia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label estonia. Show all posts

Friday, November 27, 2015

Ten European Union Members Send Letter Stating Russo-German NordStream Gas Pipeline NOT in European Interests

Russia's plans to extend its gas link to Germany run counter to EU interests and risk further destabilizing Ukraine, 10 European governments said in a letter to the European Commission that called for a summit-level debate on the issue.

A group of European companies signed an agreement with Gazprom in September to expand its Nord Stream pipeline to Germany, bypassing Ukraine.

On Wednesday, Gazprom said it would halt gas deliveries to Ukraine while Kiev said it could find cheaper supplies elsewhere.

The letter, written on Thursday and signed by Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, says the project should come under the closest regulatory scrutiny and called for "an inclusive debate" at next month's EU summit.

"The position of the European Commission on the Nord Stream II project will also essentially influence the perception of the EU's common foreign and security policy among its core allies and traditional partners," the letter, seen by Reuters, said.

World leaders have been urging Moscow and Ankara to avoid any escalation of tensions following the shooting down of a Russian jet by NATO member Turkey.

Russia's relationships with the European Union and Ukraine have been volatile since the annexation of Crimea in March last year.

The Nord Stream extension to deliver increased volumes of gas straight to Germany could have serious consequences for Kiev and EU nations, the letter said.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

MILREM's new UGCV: What's Estonian for BOLO or Ogre?



The first prototype of a new robot introduced by the Estonian company MILREM made its international debut at DSEI 2015. The multi-purpose Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) functions as a universal platform, designed to support a wide range of military and first-response applications. It has a maximum speed of 65 km/h and a payload capacity of 700 kg. – which, together with its curb weight, brings the fully-loaded robot maximum gross weight to 1.4 – 1.5 tons.

Remotely operated or autonomously controlled, the UGV is powered by electric motors that sustain operations for up to eight hours, using a diesel generator to charge a new-generation ultra-capacitor bank, based on a technology developed by Skele+on – another Estonian company specializing in high-density power sources.