Military of Estonia
From Free net encyclopedia
The Estonian Defence Forces consists of 5120 persons in uniform.
The Estonian Defence Forces are a reserve force, and as such "all physically and mentally healthy male citizens" must undergo compulsory military service for the duration of either 8 or 11 months, during which time the conscripts are taught the basic skills needed to be mobilized into active duty.[1]
In 2004, Estonia joined the NATO, which has been one of its priorities since the restoration of independence. The United States is among the countries with which Estonia has very intensive cooperation in the defence and security field.
The 2002 state budget allocated 2% of the gross domestic product for defence expenditures.
| Estonian Defence Forces | |
|---|---|
| Military manpower | |
| Military age | 18 years of age |
| Availability | males age 15-49: 360,440 (2003 est.) |
| Fit for military service | 283,278 (2003 est.) |
| Reaching military age annually | males: 11,123 (2003 est.) |
| Military expenditures | |
| Dollar figure | $155 million (FY02) |
| Percent of GDP | 2% (FY02) |
Contents |
Organisation
The Estonian Defence Forces consist of regular military units, the Kaitsevägi totalling 5120 officers and men, and a voluntary corps, the Defence League (Kaitseliit) with about 8100 soldiers. The Defence Forces are stationed within four defence districts with headquarters in Tallinn, Rakvere, Tartu, Pärnu.
Estonia cooperates with Latvia and Lithuania in the joint infantry battalion BALTBAT and naval squadron BALTRON which can be deployed for peacekeeping operations.
- Army
- Navy
- Air Force
- Defence League
- Border Guards
Estonian Army (Maavägi)
The Estonian Army consists of 9 battalions:
- Kuperjanov Independent Infantry Battalion
- Pärnu Independent Infantry Battalion
- Peace Operations Centre
- Scouts Battalion
- Artillery Group
- Viru Independent Infantry Battalion
- Air Defence Battalion
- Independent Signal Battalion
- Independent Guard Battalion
Estonian Navy (Merevägi)
The Estonian Navyhas one naval base in Miinisadam and operates one minesweeper division:
- EML Admiral Pitka - command and support ship, ex-Danish Beskytteren, modified Hvidbjørnen-class
- EML Ahti - cutter, ex-Danish Maagen class
- EML Sulev - minehunter, ex-German Lindau class
- EML Wambola - minehunter, ex-German Lindau class
- EML Vaindlo - minesweeper, ex-German Frauenlob class
- EML Olev - minesweeper, ex German Frauenlob class
- EML Ristna - patrol boat, ex-Finnish Rihtiniemi class
- EML Suurop - patrol boat, ex Finnish Rihtiniemi class
Estonian Air Force (Õhuvägi)
The Air Force has an air base in Ämari and operates two Antonov An-2s and four Robinson R44 helicopters. The Border Guard Aviation Group is based at Tallinn Airport and operates two Let L-410 UVPs and Mil Mi-8 helicopters. Air defence batteries are equipped with 100 ZU-23-2s. Estonian primary radar system is integrated with Baltic States radar system network BALTNET. NATO jets based in Lithuania are also involved in the patrolling and protection of Estonian air space.
Insignia
External links
| North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) | Image:Flag of NATO.svg |
|---|---|
| Belgium | Bulgaria | Canada | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | France | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Italy | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | The Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Turkey | United Kingdom | United States of America | |
| Candidate Countries: Albania | Croatia | Republic of Macedonia | |
