The Estonian Defense Army is built on the principle of common defense, its tasks include preserving Estonia's sovereignty, protecting its territory, territorial waters and airspace as an integral and indivisible integrity, constitutional order and public security.
The functioning of the Estonian Defense Forces is based on the principles of civilian control and is linked to the democratic organization of the state. Democratically elected and appointed executive bodies make decisions on the use of the Defense Army and determine the appropriate goals, allocate the necessary resources and monitor the achievement of goals. The implementation of the principles of civil control is guaranteed by law and is entrusted to the parliament, the President of the Republic and the government of the Republic. In wartime, the Supreme Commander of the Defense Army is the President of the Republic, and the governing body is the National Defense Council, consisting of the Chairman of Parliament, the Prime Minister, Commander of the Defense Army, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Estonian Armed Forces in 1920-1940
After the successful end of hostilities, some of the soldiers of the People's Forces were demobilized, and the units gathered several times for military training as needed. In 1922, instead of the names of units borrowed from the Russian language (regiment, company, etc.), borrowings from Western European languages \u200b\u200bwere taken into use. In -1937, the Estonian armed forces were called Defensive troops, and since 1937 - Estonian troops (Est. Eesti sõjavägi).
The structure of the Estonian Armed Forces at the time of the state's accession to the USSR in 1940
Estonian national military units in World War II
As part of the Red Army
The incorporation of Estonian Armed Forces units into the Red Army in 1940
At the end of August 1940, on the basis of the military units of the Estonian army, the 22nd Estonian Territorial Rifle Corps of the Red Army was formed under the command of the Estonian general Gustav Ionson, who was later arrested by the NKVD and shot. All soldiers and officers of the 22nd Estonian Rifle Corps retained the uniform of the Estonian army of 1936, on which Soviet insignia were sewn. Initially, most of the positions in the corps were occupied by former officers of the Estonian army, but by mid-June 1941 - even before the German attack on the USSR - most of them were arrested and replaced by officers of the Red Army who had arrived from the USSR.
Most of the arrested Estonian officers died in camps on the territory of the RSFSR, many were shot. Of the Estonian generals who ended up in the Soviet camps, only one Richard Tomberg survived, since since 1942 he was demanded by the Frunze Military Academy as a teacher and was arrested only in February 1944 (released from the camp and rehabilitated in 1956 year).
Some of the dismissed officers of the Estonian army and 22nd Rifle Corps managed to escape from the authorities in the period between leaving the service and their planned arrest. Some managed to escape abroad, others came out of hiding only after the arrival of German troops in July-August 1941, some of them voluntarily joined the Estonian units that fought on the side of Nazi Germany or entered the service of the Estonian self-government controlled by the German authorities.
8th Estonian Rifle Corps
As part of the armed forces of Nazi Germany
As part of the Finnish army
In the post-independence period
In the post-independence period, Estonia has not ratified the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe.
The Estonian Armed Forces are recruited in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Estonia "On General Military Service". Young men from 18 to 28 years of age who are not exempt and who are Estonian citizens are required to complete an 8-month service (autumn conscription) or 11-month service (individual specialists) (spring).
In 2001, Estonian Defense Minister Juri Lusk issued a statement that the Estonian military doctrine does not exclude foreign citizens and stateless persons permanently residing in Estonia from participating in “defensive actions”.
In 2006, a CERT center was created in Estonia, the task of which is to ensure Internet security, in the future it is envisaged to create a "cyber defense center" " Tiigrikaitse".
In June 2009, the Estonian parliament adopted amendments to the state of emergency law, which allowed the army and the Defense League to be used to suppress riots.
The armed forces in peacetime number 5,500 people, of which about 2,000 are conscripts. There are about 3,500 professional military personnel in the Armed Forces. The reserve of the Armed Forces is about 30,000 people, which makes it possible to fully staff the 1st Infantry Brigade, 4th Separate Battalions and 4th Defense Regions. In addition to the reserve, there are 12,000 more people who are in 15 squads of the Defense League (the so-called "Defense League" - a volunteer paramilitary formation), which together with the Armed Forces is part of the Estonian Defense Forces.
Structure
The Armed Forces of Estonia include:
- command;
- ground troops;
- air Force;
- naval forces;
- parts of logistic support;
- military schools
The average size of the Defense Forces in peacetime is 5,500, of which almost 2,000 are conscripts. In the event of the outbreak of hostilities, it is planned to increase the size of the army at the expense of reservists and mobilization measures.
Ground troops
The ground forces are the largest branch of the armed forces. Their tasks are to protect the territory of Estonia and organize preparation for external operations. Priorities are rapid response units, host country support and territorial development support structures.
If necessary, they can also be used to suppress the actions of the population of the country and provide assistance to civil structures in overcoming the consequences of man-made disasters and natural disasters.
Army commander in support of the main headquarters and troops, time for the preparation of the reserve, consisting of territorial battalions and the 1st Infantry Brigade. In a crisis or war, the tasks of the command of the ground forces are the responsibility for planning, preparing, developing a plan for protecting the district.
The 1st Infantry Brigade is one of the main formations of the ground forces; during the war, it is planned to be deployed into a larger formation. The brigade is staffed with professional military personnel and conscripts, trained in accordance with NATO standards and can operate in conjunction with units of other NATO countries.
Air Force
The Estonian Air Force (Air Force) ensures security in Estonian airspace. One of the main goals of the air force is to create an air surveillance system that will become an element of the air defense of NATO countries and can be used for reconnaissance, airspace control, and air traffic safety. The Air Force consists of two transport aircraft and four helicopters.
All equipment located on the territory was removed by the Soviet Army during the period of the disconnection of the Republic of Estonia or destroyed by the inept actions of the organizers of the new Estonian army. The Estonian Air Force was rebuilt in 1994. The Air Force was rebuilt from the destroyed military infrastructure left behind by the Russian army. Most of the funds went to the modernization of Ämari airbase in accordance with NATO standards, which was completed in 2010. Due to the lack of modern military aviation and developed infrastructure, limited funding, the development of the air force is very slow.
Navy
The Estonian Navy is responsible for all maritime operations in Estonian territorial waters. The main functions of the naval forces are the preparation and organization of protection of territorial waters and coastlines, ensuring the safety of maritime navigation, communications and shipping in territorial waters and cooperation, together with the NATO naval forces and other friendly countries. In the event of a crisis, the fleet must be ready to defend the sea, port areas, sea lines of communication and cooperate with the coalition units. The navy includes patrol ships, minesweepers, support ships and the coast guard units needed to ensure the safety of maritime communications. The current structure includes a division of mine ships, which also includes a group of divers. In addition, there is a naval school, a naval base and headquarters in Tallinn.
Estonian Defense League
The Defense Union is a voluntary military organization that reports to the Ministry of Defense. The main goal of the Defense League is to protect independence and constitutional order, including in the event of a military threat, based on the free expression of the will of citizens.
The Defense League consists of 15 territorial subdivisions, whose areas of responsibility mainly coincide with the borders of the Estonian counties. The Defense Union has over 12,000 members and, together with affiliated organizations, more than 20,000 activists. The Defense League takes part in the exercises of the Estonian army, in addition, its activists participate in maintaining public order as volunteer police assistants, take part in extinguishing forest fires and perform some other public functions.
Defense Alliance and related organizations maintain relationships with partner organizations in the Nordic countries, the United States and the United Kingdom. Union activists take part in "international peacekeeping operations."
Organization
Units of the Estonian Armed Forces include permanent readiness units (fully staffed with professional military personnel) and cadre reserve units. The use of reservists reduces the cost of military education and training. If necessary, reservists can be staffed and replenished already existing units. The army reserve includes the majority of male citizens.
Defense Army headquarters
In peacetime, the Estonian Defense Army and the Defense League are defense Army Commander (Estonian Kaitseväe juhataja), in wartime - supreme Commander of the Defense Army (Estonian Kaitseväe ülemjuhataja). The Commander of the Defense Army is appointed and dismissed from office by the Riigikogu (Parliament) on the proposal of the President of the Republic of Estonia. Since 5 December 2006, Lieutenant General Ants Laaneots has been serving as the Commander of the Defense Army.
The governing body of the Estonian Defense Forces is main headquarters of the Defense Army (Estonian Kaitseväe Peastaap). The main headquarters of the Defense Army is engaged in the operational management, training and development of the Defense Army. Operational leadership is exercised by operational personnel who plan and oversee operations and ensure the readiness of defense and mobilization. The Training and Development Department is responsible for long-term and medium-term planning, resource planning, organizing and overseeing the preparation planning and implementation of state protection activities. The main headquarters of the Defense Army is headed by the Commander of the Defense Army.
Military spending and budget
Estonian military budget
Military vehicles and equipment
Further development of the armed forces
In accordance with the long-term plan for the development of the country's armed forces, it is envisaged to strengthen the naval forces through the acquisition of multi-purpose high-speed patrol boats.
Also, it is envisaged: the reorganization of the infantry brigade into a motorized infantry brigade in 2013; the reorganization of 15 infantry battalions of territorial defense into 5 infantry battalions and five reconnaissance companies; creation in 2014 of an air defense division.
It is also envisaged to strengthen the air defense system, modernize and replenish existing units with new weapons systems.
Arms, military equipment supplies and foreign military aid
Initially, the Estonian army had weapons and military equipment of the Soviet Army units located on the territory of the Estonian SSR.
Beginning in 1992, the supply of weapons and military equipment began from the Eastern European states and NATO countries.
During 1992 and the first half of 1993, the Estonian armed forces received significant sums of money from Western countries, as well as weapons and military property: from the FRG - two L-410 transport aircraft, 8 boats, 200 vehicles and 180 tons of military cargo; from Sweden - one ship; from Norway - army footwear and fabric for sewing uniforms. At the same time, the United States sent 60 military advisers, military specialists and consultants to Estonia. At least 15 Estonian military personnel were sent to study in US military educational institutions, 42 people. - in Germany, 10 people. - to Finland.
In January 1993, a contract was signed with the Israeli company TAAS, according to which 10 MAPATS rocket launchers, Uzi submachine guns, artillery pieces, mortars, communications equipment, and body armor were supplied from Israel for the Estonian army. The total amount of the contract was $ 50 million. In February 1994, the Estonian media reported that some of the weapons and military equipment (totaling $ 4 million) were defective. In 1998, the Estonian government filed a lawsuit against Israel in an international court in London in connection with this deal, and in July 2003 a British court ordered Israel to pay Estonia $ 2 million "as a result of erroneous calculations of the ribit." In total, by the end of 1995, Israel supplied Estonia with weapons worth 60.4 million US dollars, among the range of supplies were Galil submachine guns, mini-Uzi submachine guns, sniper rifles, 82-mm B- grenade launchers 300, 81-mm Soltam mortars, 106-mm M40 recoilless guns, ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns, missiles, guided shells, ammunition and other military equipment in an amount sufficient to equip an army of 12 thousand people. ...
In 1994, by order of the General Staff of the Estonian Armed Forces, the Finnish company Ultramatic sold 1,300 pistols made in Western countries for arming the officers of the Estonian army. Some of the pistols, presumably, were transferred to the "Defense League"
In 1997, the United States donated 1,200 M-16A1 assault rifles, 1,500 M1911 pistols and a coast guard boat to Estonia free of charge. " Valvas", and in 1998 for the mobilization reserve - 40.5 thousand M-14 assault rifles with a total value of 2.4 million dollars or 43.3 million Estonian kroons. At the same time, the Estonian side had to pay only transportation costs for the delivery of weapons to Estonia in the amount of 5.4 million kroons.
Also, in 1998, nineteen 105-mm artillery M-61/37 artillery pieces fired before World War II were received from Finland.
In 1999, the Estonian army received from Sweden 100 Carl Gustaf M2 grenade launchers, 90-mm M60 recoilless anti-tank guns and 40-mm anti-aircraft guns with control systems worth 1.2 billion Swedish kronor.
In early 2000, a batch of mini-robots was received to detect explosive devices.
In March 2001, an agreement was concluded for the supply from the United States of the TPS-117 radar station, designed to create the BALTNET system. In March 2003, the construction of the station was completed, and in May 2003, the FPS-117 three-coordinate radar station was put into operation. The radar provides detection of aircraft at altitudes up to 30 km and at a distance of up to 450 km.
In early 2002, a large consignment of AK4 assault rifles was received from Sweden, provided free of charge for the rearmament of army units (to replace the Galil assault rifles previously in service, which were transferred to the armament of the territorial units and the Defense League).
On August 2, 2002, under the US military assistance program, two R-44 Astro helicopters, equipped with photo and video equipment and thermal imagers, were donated free of charge. In April 2012, specialists from the American company "Rebtech" carried out their modernization by installing sets of NVIS equipment ( Night Vision Imaging Systems) for night flights.
In February 2004, a consignment of weapons worth 120 million Estonian kroons was purchased from Germany (155-mm FH-70 towed howitzers, ATGM systems, as well as ammunition, spare parts and training programs for them).
In May 2004, a contract was signed for the supply from Great Britain for the Estonian contingent in Afghanistan of seven Mamba Mk.2 armored vehicles, on August 26, 2004, the first 4 armored vehicles were received
In 2004, a batch of 60 XA-180EST armored personnel carriers was purchased in Finland; in December 2011, a contract was signed for the supply of another 81 Finnish XA-188 armored personnel carriers, previously in service with the Dutch army. On August 28, 2007, an additional contract was signed with the Finnish company Patria for the maintenance of armored personnel carriers, the supply of spare parts and special tools for them, and the transfer of technical documentation.
In the summer of 2005, an agreement was concluded for the German company "Heckler & Koch" to acquire a batch of 9-mm pistols H&K USP
Also, in 2005, Estonia acquired in the Czech Republic the VERA-E passive electronic intelligence system worth $ 4 million
In addition, within the framework of the American Foreign Military Financing program, in 2004 Estonia received free military aid from the United States in the amount of $ 6 million, in 2005 - in the amount of $ 5 million and in 2006 - in the amount of 4.2 million dollars. In 2004-2005. These funds were used to purchase mainly radio stations, night vision devices, positioning systems on the ground, spare parts for cars and communication systems.
In February 2007, a contract was signed with the Swedish concern SAAB AB and the French corporation MBDA France for the supply of short-range air defense systems for the country's armed forces. In 2010, the Estonian army received the Mistral air defense system, which consists of Giraffe AMB radars, a command post, communications equipment, rocket launchers, Mistral missiles and training equipment. Radars, command centers and communications systems were sourced from Sweden, while missile launchers and ammunition were sourced from France. The total value of the contract was EEK 1 billion.
In 2007, an agreement was signed to supply the Estonian army with a batch of sniper weapons (French 12.7 mm PGM Hecate II sniper rifles and Finnish 8.6 mm Sako TRG-42 sniper rifles)
At the beginning of 2008, the modernization of the former Soviet airbase Amari (40 km from Tallinn) began in accordance with NATO standards. The original cost of the modernization program was 1 billion Estonian kroons (64 million euros), with half of the amount to be provided by NATO and the other half by the government of Estonia. The modernization of the air base was completed on September 15, 2010. The total cost of the work was about 75 million euros, a third of the funds came from NATO.
In 2008, a contract was signed with Finland, and in 2009 36 D-30 122 mm howitzers, ammunition and other military equipment were received. The howitzers received from Finland were released in the 1960s-1970s in the USSR and were in service with the GDR ground forces until the 1990s.
Also, in 2008, a contract was signed with the Swiss arms company "Brügger & Thomet", in accordance with which 2,500 automatic rifles in service with the Estonian army were modernized: an optical or collimator sight was installed on AK-4 assault rifles, Galil assault rifles were equipped with a metal aiming bar with a mount for installing additional equipment.
In October 2008, a contract was signed with the American firm "Hydroid" for the supply of two small-sized remotely controlled underwater vehicles "Remus 100" equipped with sonars
In addition, in 2008, the vehicle fleet was updated - 500 new vehicles were purchased for the Estonian army (in particular, German cars DAF, UNIMOG U1300 and Mercedes-Benz 1017A), and some of the obsolete vehicles (Swedish Volvo trucks, American GMC M275A2 trucks and Chevrolet M1008 jeeps, Soviet trucks GAZ, MAZ, ZIL, "Ural" and UAZ off-road vehicles, Magirus, Robur, IFA trucks manufactured in the GDR and Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG trucks, Mercedes-Benz 911 trucks manufactured in Germany, as well as Iltis SUVs) in January 2009 year was put up for sale
In 2009, the United States allocated 800 thousand dollars to Estonia for the modernization of the ground infrastructure for servicing military helicopters: repairing helipads, adapting them to NATO standards, as well as creating refueling stations in Narva and Värska bordering Russia.
In 2009, a contract was signed for the purchase of two new three-coordinate ground master 403 medium-range radars manufactured by the American company Tales-Raytheon systems. Ground master 403 is a mobile radar capable of detecting air targets at ranges up to 470 km and altitudes up to 30 km. In addition to the procurement of the two main radars, the agreement provides for the supply of auxiliary radars, generators, containers, vehicles and training aids. The cost of the radars is estimated at 350 million Estonian kroons (31.15 million dollars). Payments will be made in installments from 2009 to 2014
In March 2011, the United States donated several RQ-11 "Raven" unmanned aerial vehicles to the Estonian contingent in Afghanistan.
In June 2011, the United States transferred 6 International MaxxPro armored vehicles to the Estonian contingent in Afghanistan.
In February 2012, a consignment of anti-aircraft weapons worth 283,050 euros was purchased in Finland (additional launchers of the Mistral air defense system, spare parts for them and 23-mm anti-aircraft guns ZU-23-2)
In November 2012, American General Frank D. Turner III announced that the United States was providing military assistance to Estonia under the FMF (Foreign military financing) and IMET (International Military Education and Training), for which millions of dollars are allocated annually. Only by program FMF Since 1995, the Estonian Armed Forces have received military aid totaling $ 70 million.
Symbols and flags
- Logistics Center (Est. Logistikakeskus)
- Logistics battalion (Estonian Logistikapataljon)
- Health center (Estonian Tervisekeskus)
- Medical service (Est. Meditsiiniteenistus)
- Service of military chaplains (Estonian Kaplaniteenistus)
- Headquarters and communications battalion (Estonian Staabi- ja sidepataljon)
- Joint Military Educational Institutions of the Army (Est. Kaitseväe Ühendatud Õppeasutused)
- Võru Military School of the Armed Forces (Estonian Kaitseväe Võru Lahingukool)
- Higher Military School of the Armed Forces (Est. Kaitseväe Ühendatud Õppeasutused - Kõrgem Sõjakool)
- Military police (Estonian Sõjaväepolitsei)
Notes
- 115-page Report: "Security and Defense Capabilities of the Baltic States", October 2012 (English)
- The commander of the Defense Forces was replaced in Estonia // "Lenta.RU" dated October 13, 2011
- News from the Baltic States // "Foreign Military Review", No. 10 (655), 2001. p.53-56
- About CERT Estonia
- Estonia allowed to use the army to suppress riots // "Lenta.RU" dated June 16, 2009
- Empty space, Lenta.ru
- Estonian Navy
- Estonian Ministry of Defense: Budget Reporting
- en: Former equipment of the Maavägi
- en: Equipment of the Maavägi
- Long Term Defense Plan: Reforming the Armed Forces
- D. Evseev. The Armed Forces of the Baltic States // "Foreign Military Review", No. 2 (779), 2012. p. 11-19
- V. Kolchugin. Military contacts of the Baltic countries with the West // "Foreign Military Review", No. 6, 1993. pp. 17-19
- Estonia arms itself // "REGNUM" news agency, February 4, 2004
- How Israeli gunsmiths "killed" the Estonian government // IzRus, November 20, 2011
- TOP scandals in the Estonian army: from a scam with the purchase of weapons to hazing
- cand. econom. n. S.I. Simanovsky. Israel's Defense Industry Progress. // "Independent Military Review", No. 15, 1997
- Yu. Grigoriev. The coup is canceled // newspaper "Estonian Youth" of March 23, 1999
- Yuri Chubchenko. The USA arms Estonia with stale goods // "Kommersant", No. 143 (1546) of August 7, 1998
- S. Smirnov. With the world on a string. The US Department of Defense will donate 40,500 M14 assault rifles to the Estonian Defense Forces, the US Embassy in Estonia reported. // "Kupecheskaya Gazeta" dated August 6, 1998
- Decommissioned and obsolete weapons rust // "Postimees" from August 31, 2010
- Estonia // "Foreign Military Review", No. 2 (635), 2000. p.59
- Lithuania // "Foreign Military Review", No. 3 (660), 2002. p.58
- Estonia // "Foreign Military Review", No. 5 (674), 2003. p.62
- Estonia // "Foreign Military Review", No. 3 (660), 2002. p.61
- Estonia // "Foreign Military Review", No. 9 (666), 2002. p.58
The Estonian Defense Army is built on the principle of common defense, its tasks include preserving Estonia's sovereignty, protecting its territory, territorial waters and airspace as an integral and indivisible integrity, constitutional order and public security.
The functioning of the Estonian Defense Forces is based on the principles of civilian control and is linked to the democratic organization of the state. Democratically elected and appointed executive bodies make decisions on the use of the Defense Army and determine the appropriate goals, allocate the necessary resources and monitor the achievement of goals. The implementation of the principles of civil control is guaranteed by law and is entrusted to the parliament, the President of the Republic and the government of the Republic. In wartime, the Supreme Commander of the Defense Army is the President of the Republic, and the governing body is the National Defense Council, consisting of the Chairman of Parliament, the Prime Minister, Commander of the Defense Army, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Estonian Armed Forces in 1920-1940
After the successful end of hostilities, some of the soldiers of the People's Forces were demobilized, and the units gathered several times for military training as needed. In 1922, instead of the names of units borrowed from the Russian language (regiment, company, etc.), borrowings from Western European languages \u200b\u200bwere taken into use. In -1937, the Estonian armed forces were called Defensive troops, and since 1937 - Estonian troops (Est. Eesti sõjavägi).
The structure of the Estonian Armed Forces at the time of the state's accession to the USSR in 1940
Estonian national military units in World War II
As part of the Red Army
The incorporation of Estonian Armed Forces units into the Red Army in 1940
At the end of August 1940, on the basis of the military units of the Estonian army, the 22nd Estonian Territorial Rifle Corps of the Red Army was formed under the command of the Estonian general Gustav Ionson, who was later arrested by the NKVD and shot. All soldiers and officers of the 22nd Estonian Rifle Corps retained the uniform of the Estonian army of 1936, on which Soviet insignia were sewn. Initially, most of the positions in the corps were occupied by former officers of the Estonian army, but by mid-June 1941 - even before the German attack on the USSR - most of them were arrested and replaced by officers of the Red Army who had arrived from the USSR.
Most of the arrested Estonian officers died in camps on the territory of the RSFSR, many were shot. Of the Estonian generals who ended up in the Soviet camps, only one Richard Tomberg survived, since since 1942 he was demanded by the Frunze Military Academy as a teacher and was arrested only in February 1944 (released from the camp and rehabilitated in 1956 year).
Some of the dismissed officers of the Estonian army and 22nd Rifle Corps managed to escape from the authorities in the period between leaving the service and their planned arrest. Some managed to escape abroad, others came out of hiding only after the arrival of German troops in July-August 1941, some of them voluntarily joined the Estonian units that fought on the side of Nazi Germany or entered the service of the Estonian self-government controlled by the German authorities.
8th Estonian Rifle Corps
As part of the armed forces of Nazi Germany
As part of the Finnish army
In the post-independence period
In the post-independence period, Estonia has not ratified the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe.
The Estonian Armed Forces are recruited in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Estonia "On General Military Service". Young men from 18 to 28 years of age who are not exempt and who are Estonian citizens are required to complete an 8-month service (autumn conscription) or 11-month service (individual specialists) (spring).
In 2001, Estonian Defense Minister Juri Lusk issued a statement that the Estonian military doctrine does not exclude foreign citizens and stateless persons permanently residing in Estonia from participating in “defensive actions”.
In 2006, a CERT center was created in Estonia, the task of which is to ensure Internet security, in the future it is envisaged to create a "cyber defense center" " Tiigrikaitse".
In June 2009, the Estonian parliament adopted amendments to the state of emergency law, which allowed the army and the Defense League to be used to suppress riots.
The armed forces in peacetime number 5,500 people, of which about 2,000 are conscripts. There are about 3,500 professional military personnel in the Armed Forces. The reserve of the Armed Forces is about 30,000 people, which makes it possible to fully staff the 1st Infantry Brigade, 4th Separate Battalions and 4th Defense Regions. In addition to the reserve, there are 12,000 more people who are in 15 squads of the Defense League (the so-called "Defense League" - a volunteer paramilitary formation), which together with the Armed Forces is part of the Estonian Defense Forces.
Structure
The Armed Forces of Estonia include:
- command;
- ground troops;
- air Force;
- naval forces;
- parts of logistic support;
- military schools
The average size of the Defense Forces in peacetime is 5,500, of which almost 2,000 are conscripts. In the event of the outbreak of hostilities, it is planned to increase the size of the army at the expense of reservists and mobilization measures.
Ground troops
The ground forces are the largest branch of the armed forces. Their tasks are to protect the territory of Estonia and organize preparation for external operations. Priorities are rapid response units, host country support and territorial development support structures.
If necessary, they can also be used to suppress the actions of the population of the country and provide assistance to civil structures in overcoming the consequences of man-made disasters and natural disasters.
Army commander in support of the main headquarters and troops, time for the preparation of the reserve, consisting of territorial battalions and the 1st Infantry Brigade. In a crisis or war, the tasks of the command of the ground forces are the responsibility for planning, preparing, developing a plan for protecting the district.
The 1st Infantry Brigade is one of the main formations of the ground forces; during the war, it is planned to be deployed into a larger formation. The brigade is staffed with professional military personnel and conscripts, trained in accordance with NATO standards and can operate in conjunction with units of other NATO countries.
Air Force
The Estonian Air Force (Air Force) ensures security in Estonian airspace. One of the main goals of the air force is to create an air surveillance system that will become an element of the air defense of NATO countries and can be used for reconnaissance, airspace control, and air traffic safety. The Air Force consists of two transport aircraft and four helicopters.
All equipment located on the territory was removed by the Soviet Army during the period of the disconnection of the Republic of Estonia or destroyed by the inept actions of the organizers of the new Estonian army. The Estonian Air Force was rebuilt in 1994. The Air Force was rebuilt from the destroyed military infrastructure left behind by the Russian army. Most of the funds went to the modernization of Ämari airbase in accordance with NATO standards, which was completed in 2010. Due to the lack of modern military aviation and developed infrastructure, limited funding, the development of the air force is very slow.
Navy
The Estonian Navy is responsible for all maritime operations in Estonian territorial waters. The main functions of the naval forces are the preparation and organization of protection of territorial waters and coastlines, ensuring the safety of maritime navigation, communications and shipping in territorial waters and cooperation, together with the NATO naval forces and other friendly countries. In the event of a crisis, the fleet must be ready to defend the sea, port areas, sea lines of communication and cooperate with the coalition units. The navy includes patrol ships, minesweepers, support ships and the coast guard units needed to ensure the safety of maritime communications. The current structure includes a division of mine ships, which also includes a group of divers. In addition, there is a naval school, a naval base and headquarters in Tallinn.
Estonian Defense League
The Defense Union is a voluntary military organization that reports to the Ministry of Defense. The main goal of the Defense League is to protect independence and constitutional order, including in the event of a military threat, based on the free expression of the will of citizens.
The Defense League consists of 15 territorial subdivisions, whose areas of responsibility mainly coincide with the borders of the Estonian counties. The Defense Union has over 12,000 members and, together with affiliated organizations, more than 20,000 activists. The Defense League takes part in the exercises of the Estonian army, in addition, its activists participate in maintaining public order as volunteer police assistants, take part in extinguishing forest fires and perform some other public functions.
Defense Alliance and related organizations maintain relationships with partner organizations in the Nordic countries, the United States and the United Kingdom. Union activists take part in "international peacekeeping operations."
Organization
Units of the Estonian Armed Forces include permanent readiness units (fully staffed with professional military personnel) and cadre reserve units. The use of reservists reduces the cost of military education and training. If necessary, reservists can be staffed and replenished already existing units. The army reserve includes the majority of male citizens.
Defense Army headquarters
In peacetime, the Estonian Defense Army and the Defense League are defense Army Commander (Estonian Kaitseväe juhataja), in wartime - supreme Commander of the Defense Army (Estonian Kaitseväe ülemjuhataja). The Commander of the Defense Army is appointed and dismissed from office by the Riigikogu (Parliament) on the proposal of the President of the Republic of Estonia. Since 5 December 2006, Lieutenant General Ants Laaneots has been serving as the Commander of the Defense Army.
The governing body of the Estonian Defense Forces is main headquarters of the Defense Army (Estonian Kaitseväe Peastaap). The main headquarters of the Defense Army is engaged in the operational management, training and development of the Defense Army. Operational leadership is exercised by operational personnel who plan and oversee operations and ensure the readiness of defense and mobilization. The Training and Development Department is responsible for long-term and medium-term planning, resource planning, organizing and overseeing the preparation planning and implementation of state protection activities. The main headquarters of the Defense Army is headed by the Commander of the Defense Army.
Military spending and budget
Estonian military budget
Military vehicles and equipment
Further development of the armed forces
In accordance with the long-term plan for the development of the country's armed forces, it is envisaged to strengthen the naval forces through the acquisition of multi-purpose high-speed patrol boats.
Also, it is envisaged: the reorganization of the infantry brigade into a motorized infantry brigade in 2013; the reorganization of 15 infantry battalions of territorial defense into 5 infantry battalions and five reconnaissance companies; creation in 2014 of an air defense division.
It is also envisaged to strengthen the air defense system, modernize and replenish existing units with new weapons systems.
Arms, military equipment supplies and foreign military aid
Initially, the Estonian army had weapons and military equipment of the Soviet Army units located on the territory of the Estonian SSR.
Beginning in 1992, the supply of weapons and military equipment began from the Eastern European states and NATO countries.
During 1992 and the first half of 1993, the Estonian armed forces received significant sums of money from Western countries, as well as weapons and military property: from the FRG - two L-410 transport aircraft, 8 boats, 200 vehicles and 180 tons of military cargo; from Sweden - one ship; from Norway - army footwear and fabric for sewing uniforms. At the same time, the United States sent 60 military advisers, military specialists and consultants to Estonia. At least 15 Estonian military personnel were sent to study in US military educational institutions, 42 people. - in Germany, 10 people. - to Finland.
In January 1993, a contract was signed with the Israeli company TAAS, according to which 10 MAPATS rocket launchers, Uzi submachine guns, artillery pieces, mortars, communications equipment, and body armor were supplied from Israel for the Estonian army. The total amount of the contract was $ 50 million. In February 1994, the Estonian media reported that some of the weapons and military equipment (totaling $ 4 million) were defective. In 1998, the Estonian government filed a lawsuit against Israel in an international court in London in connection with this deal, and in July 2003 a British court ordered Israel to pay Estonia $ 2 million "as a result of erroneous calculations of the ribit." In total, by the end of 1995, Israel supplied Estonia with weapons worth 60.4 million US dollars, among the range of supplies were Galil submachine guns, mini-Uzi submachine guns, sniper rifles, 82-mm B- grenade launchers 300, 81-mm Soltam mortars, 106-mm M40 recoilless guns, ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns, missiles, guided shells, ammunition and other military equipment in an amount sufficient to equip an army of 12 thousand people. ...
In 1994, by order of the General Staff of the Estonian Armed Forces, the Finnish company Ultramatic sold 1,300 pistols made in Western countries for arming the officers of the Estonian army. Some of the pistols, presumably, were transferred to the "Defense League"
In 1997, the United States donated 1,200 M-16A1 assault rifles, 1,500 M1911 pistols and a coast guard boat to Estonia free of charge. " Valvas", and in 1998 for the mobilization reserve - 40.5 thousand M-14 assault rifles with a total value of 2.4 million dollars or 43.3 million Estonian kroons. At the same time, the Estonian side had to pay only transportation costs for the delivery of weapons to Estonia in the amount of 5.4 million kroons.
Also, in 1998, nineteen 105-mm artillery M-61/37 artillery pieces fired before World War II were received from Finland.
In 1999, the Estonian army received from Sweden 100 Carl Gustaf M2 grenade launchers, 90-mm M60 recoilless anti-tank guns and 40-mm anti-aircraft guns with control systems worth 1.2 billion Swedish kronor.
In early 2000, a batch of mini-robots was received to detect explosive devices.
In March 2001, an agreement was concluded for the supply from the United States of the TPS-117 radar station, designed to create the BALTNET system. In March 2003, the construction of the station was completed, and in May 2003, the FPS-117 three-coordinate radar station was put into operation. The radar provides detection of aircraft at altitudes up to 30 km and at a distance of up to 450 km.
In early 2002, a large consignment of AK4 assault rifles was received from Sweden, provided free of charge for the rearmament of army units (to replace the Galil assault rifles previously in service, which were transferred to the armament of the territorial units and the Defense League).
On August 2, 2002, under the US military assistance program, two R-44 Astro helicopters, equipped with photo and video equipment and thermal imagers, were donated free of charge. In April 2012, specialists from the American company "Rebtech" carried out their modernization by installing sets of NVIS equipment ( Night Vision Imaging Systems) for night flights.
In February 2004, a consignment of weapons worth 120 million Estonian kroons was purchased from Germany (155-mm FH-70 towed howitzers, ATGM systems, as well as ammunition, spare parts and training programs for them).
In May 2004, a contract was signed for the supply from Great Britain for the Estonian contingent in Afghanistan of seven Mamba Mk.2 armored vehicles, on August 26, 2004, the first 4 armored vehicles were received
In 2004, a batch of 60 XA-180EST armored personnel carriers was purchased in Finland; in December 2011, a contract was signed for the supply of another 81 Finnish XA-188 armored personnel carriers, previously in service with the Dutch army. On August 28, 2007, an additional contract was signed with the Finnish company Patria for the maintenance of armored personnel carriers, the supply of spare parts and special tools for them, and the transfer of technical documentation.
In the summer of 2005, an agreement was concluded for the German company "Heckler & Koch" to acquire a batch of 9-mm pistols H&K USP
Also, in 2005, Estonia acquired in the Czech Republic the VERA-E passive electronic intelligence system worth $ 4 million
In addition, within the framework of the American Foreign Military Financing program, in 2004 Estonia received free military aid from the United States in the amount of $ 6 million, in 2005 - in the amount of $ 5 million and in 2006 - in the amount of 4.2 million dollars. In 2004-2005. These funds were used to purchase mainly radio stations, night vision devices, positioning systems on the ground, spare parts for cars and communication systems.
In February 2007, a contract was signed with the Swedish concern SAAB AB and the French corporation MBDA France for the supply of short-range air defense systems for the country's armed forces. In 2010, the Estonian army received the Mistral air defense system, which consists of Giraffe AMB radars, a command post, communications equipment, rocket launchers, Mistral missiles and training equipment. Radars, command centers and communications systems were sourced from Sweden, while missile launchers and ammunition were sourced from France. The total value of the contract was EEK 1 billion.
In 2007, an agreement was signed to supply the Estonian army with a batch of sniper weapons (French 12.7 mm PGM Hecate II sniper rifles and Finnish 8.6 mm Sako TRG-42 sniper rifles)
At the beginning of 2008, the modernization of the former Soviet airbase Amari (40 km from Tallinn) began in accordance with NATO standards. The original cost of the modernization program was 1 billion Estonian kroons (64 million euros), with half of the amount to be provided by NATO and the other half by the government of Estonia. The modernization of the air base was completed on September 15, 2010. The total cost of the work was about 75 million euros, a third of the funds came from NATO.
In 2008, a contract was signed with Finland, and in 2009 36 D-30 122 mm howitzers, ammunition and other military equipment were received. The howitzers received from Finland were released in the 1960s-1970s in the USSR and were in service with the GDR ground forces until the 1990s.
Also, in 2008, a contract was signed with the Swiss arms company "Brügger & Thomet", in accordance with which 2,500 automatic rifles in service with the Estonian army were modernized: an optical or collimator sight was installed on AK-4 assault rifles, Galil assault rifles were equipped with a metal aiming bar with a mount for installing additional equipment.
In October 2008, a contract was signed with the American firm "Hydroid" for the supply of two small-sized remotely controlled underwater vehicles "Remus 100" equipped with sonars
In addition, in 2008, the vehicle fleet was updated - 500 new vehicles were purchased for the Estonian army (in particular, German cars DAF, UNIMOG U1300 and Mercedes-Benz 1017A), and some of the obsolete vehicles (Swedish Volvo trucks, American GMC M275A2 trucks and Chevrolet M1008 jeeps, Soviet trucks GAZ, MAZ, ZIL, "Ural" and UAZ off-road vehicles, Magirus, Robur, IFA trucks manufactured in the GDR and Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG trucks, Mercedes-Benz 911 trucks manufactured in Germany, as well as Iltis SUVs) in January 2009 year was put up for sale
In 2009, the United States allocated 800 thousand dollars to Estonia for the modernization of the ground infrastructure for servicing military helicopters: repairing helipads, adapting them to NATO standards, as well as creating refueling stations in Narva and Värska bordering Russia.
In 2009, a contract was signed for the purchase of two new three-coordinate ground master 403 medium-range radars manufactured by the American company Tales-Raytheon systems. Ground master 403 is a mobile radar capable of detecting air targets at ranges up to 470 km and altitudes up to 30 km. In addition to the procurement of the two main radars, the agreement provides for the supply of auxiliary radars, generators, containers, vehicles and training aids. The cost of the radars is estimated at 350 million Estonian kroons (31.15 million dollars). Payments will be made in installments from 2009 to 2014
In March 2011, the United States donated several RQ-11 "Raven" unmanned aerial vehicles to the Estonian contingent in Afghanistan.
In June 2011, the United States transferred 6 International MaxxPro armored vehicles to the Estonian contingent in Afghanistan.
In February 2012, a consignment of anti-aircraft weapons worth 283,050 euros was purchased in Finland (additional launchers of the Mistral air defense system, spare parts for them and 23-mm anti-aircraft guns ZU-23-2)
In November 2012, American General Frank D. Turner III announced that the United States was providing military assistance to Estonia under the FMF (Foreign military financing) and IMET (International Military Education and Training), for which millions of dollars are allocated annually. Only by program FMF Since 1995, the Estonian Armed Forces have received military aid totaling $ 70 million.
Symbols and flags
- Logistics Center (Est. Logistikakeskus)
- Logistics battalion (Estonian Logistikapataljon)
- Health center (Estonian Tervisekeskus)
- Medical service (Est. Meditsiiniteenistus)
- Service of military chaplains (Estonian Kaplaniteenistus)
- Headquarters and communications battalion (Estonian Staabi- ja sidepataljon)
- Joint Military Educational Institutions of the Army (Est. Kaitseväe Ühendatud Õppeasutused)
- Võru Military School of the Armed Forces (Estonian Kaitseväe Võru Lahingukool)
- Higher Military School of the Armed Forces (Est. Kaitseväe Ühendatud Õppeasutused - Kõrgem Sõjakool)
- Military police (Estonian Sõjaväepolitsei)
Notes
- 115-page Report: "Security and Defense Capabilities of the Baltic States", October 2012 (English)
- The commander of the Defense Forces was replaced in Estonia // "Lenta.RU" dated October 13, 2011
- News from the Baltic States // "Foreign Military Review", No. 10 (655), 2001. p.53-56
- About CERT Estonia
- Estonia allowed to use the army to suppress riots // "Lenta.RU" dated June 16, 2009
- Empty space, Lenta.ru
- Estonian Navy
- Estonian Ministry of Defense: Budget Reporting
- en: Former equipment of the Maavägi
- en: Equipment of the Maavägi
- Long Term Defense Plan: Reforming the Armed Forces
- D. Evseev. The Armed Forces of the Baltic States // "Foreign Military Review", No. 2 (779), 2012. p. 11-19
- V. Kolchugin. Military contacts of the Baltic countries with the West // "Foreign Military Review", No. 6, 1993. pp. 17-19
- Estonia arms itself // "REGNUM" news agency, February 4, 2004
- How Israeli gunsmiths "killed" the Estonian government // IzRus, November 20, 2011
- TOP scandals in the Estonian army: from a scam with the purchase of weapons to hazing
- cand. econom. n. S.I. Simanovsky. Israel's Defense Industry Progress. // "Independent Military Review", No. 15, 1997
- Yu. Grigoriev. The coup is canceled // newspaper "Estonian Youth" of March 23, 1999
- Yuri Chubchenko. The USA arms Estonia with stale goods // "Kommersant", No. 143 (1546) of August 7, 1998
- S. Smirnov. With the world on a string. The US Department of Defense will donate 40,500 M14 assault rifles to the Estonian Defense Forces, the US Embassy in Estonia reported. // "Kupecheskaya Gazeta" dated August 6, 1998
- Decommissioned and obsolete weapons rust // "Postimees" from August 31, 2010
- Estonia // "Foreign Military Review", No. 2 (635), 2000. p.59
- Lithuania // "Foreign Military Review", No. 3 (660), 2002. p.58
- Estonia // "Foreign Military Review", No. 5 (674), 2003. p.62
- Estonia // "Foreign Military Review", No. 3 (660), 2002. p.61
- Estonia // "Foreign Military Review", No. 9 (666), 2002. p.58
The Estonian Defense Army is built on the principle of common defense, its tasks include preserving Estonia's sovereignty, protecting its territory, territorial waters and airspace as an integral and indivisible integrity, constitutional order and public security.
The functioning of the Estonian Defense Forces is based on the principles of civilian control and is linked to the democratic organization of the state. Democratically elected and appointed executive bodies make decisions on the use of the Defense Army and determine the appropriate goals, allocate the necessary resources and monitor the achievement of goals. The implementation of the principles of civil control is guaranteed by legislation and is entrusted to the parliament, the President of the Republic and the government of the Republic. In wartime, the Supreme Commander of the Defense Army is the President of the Republic, and the governing body is the National Defense Council, consisting of the Chairman of Parliament, the Prime Minister, Commander of the Defense Army, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Foreign Affairs [ ] .
History
Formation of the Estonian People's Army and its participation in the Estonian War of Liberation 1918-1920.
8th Estonian Rifle Corps (second formation)
The decision to create the corps was made in May 1942. On September 25, 1942, a directive of the USSR People's Commissariat of Defense was adopted on the formation of the 8th Estonian Rifle Corps (second formation) on the basis of the 7th and 249th Estonian Rifle Divisions. General Lembit Pern was appointed the corps commander.
As part of the armed forces of Nazi Germany
Even before the war, the Germans managed to deploy a well-prepared ramified agent network on the territory of Estonia. However, in Tallinn, Tartu and Pechory (Petseri), the NKGB was still able to identify the underground formations of the Union of participants in the liberation war of 1918-19. ("Vapsov"), who maintained conspiratorial contacts with the "Defense League" that had gone underground.
With the German attack on the USSR, the Estonians welcomed the Nazis as their liberators and launched a partisan war against the Red Army. During July 1941, the Germans threw several Estonian sabotage and reconnaissance groups "Erna" into Estonia, whose tasks were to capture strategically important objects, reconnaissance in the rear of Soviet troops and organize an insurgency. They were joined by the underground members of the Defense League, and the number of Erna groups by the beginning of August reached about 900 people.
Having entered into direct combat clashes with the operational units of the NKVD troops, these groups suffered significant losses, only their remnants managed to break through to the Germans. From these remnants, the Estonian special battalion "Erna-2" was formed, which participated in the elimination of the centers of resistance of the Soviet troops on the islands of Saaremaa, Muhu and Hiiumaa. After that he was disbanded, his fighters moved to the Estonian police and the newly formed self-defense ("Omakaitse").
Police units, like local self-government bodies, began to form everywhere in Estonia as the Soviet troops retreated. Under the Estonian local government, the so-called directory of internal affairs appeared as part of the police department (including the political police - in fact the Estonian Gestapo) and the Omakaitse units. In the fall of 1941, 6 Estonian security battalions were formed - 181st, 182nd, 183rd, 184th, 185th and 186th, which were used by the Germans to protect communications, headquarters, etc. reorganized into 3 eastern battalions ("ostbatalions" - 658th, 659th and 660th) and 657th eastern company. These Estonian units as part of the Wehrmacht were thrown into battle with units of the Red Army.
In addition, during the war, the Estonians formed 26 police battalions "F" (front) and "W" ("watch" - security), through which 10 thousand people passed. They took part in hostilities against partisans and at the front, for example, the 36th Estonian police battalion in November 1942 landed at Stalingrad, where it was pretty battered. In July 1944, according to Soviet intelligence, the Estonian police battalions Narva and Sakkola, as well as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 18th, operated against the Red Army and partisans. , 29th, 30th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 37th, 38th, 39th, 41st, 42nd, 43rd, 45th, 46 1st, 185th, 658th and 659th police battalions. For some time, the 1st and 2nd Estonian police regiments existed.
As for the territorial self-defense "Omakaitse", called "Selbstschutz" by the Germans, it was formed in the image and likeness of the "Defense League". Platoons “Omakaitse” were created in villages and farms, companies in volosts, battalions in counties and cities. The general management of them was carried out by the German military administration of Estonia. Members of "Omakaitse" carried out patrol and post service in settlements and on the roads, and also were on duty at air defense posts. A women's section "Omakaitse" - "Naskodukaitse" ("Women's protection at home") was also created, which was entrusted with economic and sanitary functions. At the Estonian factories, Omakaitse formed divisions of "labor protection" - "Teekaits", which guarded the enterprises, as well as prisoners of war and other prisoners involved in their work. In total, Omakaitsa consisted of up to 75 thousand Estonian men and about 20 thousand Estonians.
In 1944, from the Omakaitse fighters, the Selbstshutz regiments Revel, Tallinn, Fellin, Pernau and Kiwi were formed, which were thrown by the Germans into battles on the Eastern Front. In addition, the Nazis created 6 Estonian border regiments - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th (each has 3 rifle battalions and an artillery battery - up to 3 thousand people in total) ... Subsequently, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th border regiments became part of the 300th Special Purpose Division of the Wehrmacht, defeated by Soviet troops in September 1944 - only scattered units remained of the division. The remnants of the Estonian border regiments surrendered in May 1945 as part of the Courland group of German fascist troops.
The fate of the Estonian Coast Guard Regiment (Rannakaitse), created in 1941 under the auspices of the German Navy, is interesting. When in the spring of 1942 the Germans demanded that the regiment be transferred to the SS troops, its command dismissed the subordinates to their homes.
In August 1942, the formation of the Estonian SS legion on a volunteer basis began. Thus, the Estonian volunteer battalion Narva appeared in the 5th SS Panzer Division Viking, which was almost completely defeated in the winter of 1944 during the Korsun-Schevchenko offensive operation of the Red Army.
Inspired by the successful experience of creating the 1st and 2nd Estonian SS Volunteer Regiments by May 1943, the Germans started to form the Estonian SS Volunteer Brigade - 3rd. Having received in December 1943 - January 1944. some experience in fighting partisans, this brigade was soon transformed into the 20th Estonian SS Volunteer Division (from May 1944 - the 20th SS Waffen Grenadier Division, also Estonian No. I).
As part of this division in July 1944 (at the same time it was joined by the 658th Estonian Ostbatalion under the command of the Knight's Iron Cross, SS Standartenfuehrer Adolf Rebane - according to some sources - an NKVD agent) there were 45th, 46th and 47th 1st SS Grenadier Regiments, 20th SS Artillery Regiment (commander - SS Standartenfuehrer by the name of Sobolev!), 20th Fusilier Battalion (formerly "Narva"), 20th Engineering Battalion, 20th "Anti-Aircraft Artillery Unit", 20th "reconnaissance unit", 20th field reserve battalion (later 20th SS training reserve regiment), 20th supply regiment, 20th construction Russian-Estonian battalion and other units.
In September 1944, the 20th SS Waffen Grenadier Division was defeated in battles with Soviet troops near Narva, but in early 1945 it was re-formed in Silesia. In May 1945, the Estonian SS men of the 20th division surrendered to the Red Army on the territory of Czechoslovakia.In the interests of the Wehrmacht in 1944, the Estonian auxiliary 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th construction - sapper and 42nd sapper battalions.
Estonian aviation also took part in the war as part of the German Armed Forces. In July 1942, the 3rd squadron of the 127th Luftwaffe naval reconnaissance group was formed from the Estonian volunteer pilots. She had Heinkel-60 and Arado-95 seaplanes and searched for Soviet submarines in the Gulf of Finland.
Later, the Estonian pilots underwent retraining, and in October 1943 their squadron was reorganized into the 11th Estonian group of night attack aircraft, armed with obsolete German Heinkel-50A, Arado-66, Polish RWD-8 and Dutch Fokker CV-E aircraft. composition was carried out by training Estonian cadets, in the training-combat group of night attack aircraft "Ostland" (its Estonian segment was called "Estland"),
In October 1944, the 11th Estonian group of night attack aircraft, which sometimes made combat missions, ceased to exist - according to some sources, due to the extreme wear and tear of the material part and the lack of spare parts, according to others - due to the increasing desertion of Estonians from the Luftwaffe. Pilots and aircraft mechanics regularly flew to Sweden, jamming into the cockpits of their old biplanes. Two more Estonians (out of 10 sent to study in Germany) fled to Sweden in Focke-Wulf-190A fighters.
In German Air Force units (mainly in anti-aircraft artillery), about 3 thousand young Estonians, including 78 girls, served as support personnel (“Air Force assistants” - “Luftwaffeenhilfer”). There were also young Estonian "helpers of the Navy" ("marinehilfer") and "pupils of the SS" ("SS-zögling").
As part of the Finnish army
In the period after the restoration of independence
The Estonian Armed Forces are recruited in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Estonia “On General Military Service”. Young men from 18 to 28 years of age who are not exempt and who are Estonian citizens are required to complete 8 months of service or 11 months (individual specialists).
In 2001, Estonian Defense Minister Juri Lusk issued a statement that the Estonian military doctrine does not exclude foreign citizens and stateless persons permanently residing in Estonia from participating in “defensive actions”.
Estonia takes part in the war in Afghanistan, in 2003 the government sent a military contingent to the ISAF. As of March 1, 2013, the losses of the Estonian contingent in Afghanistan amounted to 9 soldiers killed and over 130 wounded.
In 2006, a CERT center was established in Estonia, the task of which is to ensure Internet security, in the future, it is envisaged to create a “cyber defense center” “ Tiigrikaitse».
In June 2009, the Estonian parliament adopted amendments to the state of emergency law, which allowed the army and the Defense League to be used to suppress riots.
The armed forces in peacetime number 5,500 people, of which about 2,000 are conscripts. There are about 3,500 professional military personnel in the Armed Forces. The reserve of the Armed Forces is about 30,000 people, which makes it possible to fully staff one infantry brigade, 4 separate battalions and 4 defensive areas. In addition to the reserve, there are 12,000 more people, who are 15 squads of the Defense League (the so-called “Defense League” - a volunteer paramilitary formation), which together with the Armed Forces is part of the Estonian Defense Forces.
Structure
Ground troops
Air Force
Navy
The Estonian Navy is responsible for all maritime operations in Estonian territorial waters. The main functions of the naval forces are the preparation and organization of the protection of territorial waters and coastlines, ensuring the safety of maritime navigation, communications and shipping in territorial waters, and cooperation, together with the NATO Navy and other friendly countries. In the event of a crisis, the fleet must be ready to defend the sea, port areas, sea lines of communication and cooperate with the coalition units. The navy includes patrol ships, minesweepers, support ships and the coast guard units needed to ensure the safety of maritime communications. The current structure includes a division of mine ships, which also includes a group of divers. In addition, there is a naval school, a naval base and a headquarters in Tallinn.
Estonian Defense League
The Defense League (Defense League) is a voluntary military organization that reports to the Ministry of Defense. The main goal of the Defense League is to protect independence and constitutional order, including in the event of a military threat, based on the free expression of the will of citizens.
The Defense League consists of 15 territorial divisions, whose areas of responsibility mostly coincide with the borders of the Estonian counties. The Defense Union has over 13,000 members and, together with affiliated organizations, more than 21,000 activists. The Defense Union takes part in the exercises of the Estonian army, in addition, its activists participate in maintaining public order as volunteer police assistants, take part in extinguishing forest fires and perform some other public functions.
Defense Alliance and related organizations maintain relationships with partner organizations in the Nordic countries, the United States and the United Kingdom. Union activists take part in "international peacekeeping operations."
Estonian Coast Guard
Organization
Defense Army headquarters
Military spending and budget
Estonian military budget
Further development of the armed forces
In accordance with the long-term plan for the development of the country's armed forces, it is envisaged to strengthen the naval forces through the acquisition of multi-purpose high-speed patrol boats.
Also, it is envisaged: the reorganization of the infantry brigade into a motorized infantry brigade in 2013; the reorganization of 15 infantry battalions of territorial defense into 5 infantry battalions and five reconnaissance companies; creation in 2014 of an air defense division.
Arms, military equipment supplies and foreign military aid
Initially, the Estonian army had weapons and military equipment of the Soviet Army units located on the territory of the Estonian SSR.
Beginning in 1992, the supply of weapons and military equipment began from the Eastern European states and NATO countries.
During 1992 and the first half of 1993, the Estonian armed forces received significant sums of money from Western countries, as well as weapons and military property: from the FRG - two L-410 transport aircraft, 8 boats, 200 vehicles and 180 tons of military cargo; from Sweden - one ship; from Norway - army footwear and fabric for sewing uniforms. At the same time, the United States sent 60 military advisers, military specialists and consultants to Estonia. At least 15 Estonian military personnel were sent to study in US military educational institutions, 42 people. - in Germany, 10 people. - to Finland.
In January 1993, a contract was signed with the Israeli company TAAS, according to which Israel supplied 10 MAPATS rocket launchers, Uzi submachine guns, artillery pieces, mortars, communications equipment, and body armor from Israel to the Estonian army. The total amount of the contract was $ 50 million. In February 1994, the Estonian media reported that some of the weapons and military equipment (totaling $ 4 million) were defective. In 1998, the Estonian government filed a lawsuit against Israel in an international court in London in connection with this deal, and in July 2003 a British court ordered Israel to pay Estonia $ 2 million "due to erroneous calculations of the ribit." In total, by the end of 1995, Israel supplied Estonia with weapons worth 60.4 million US dollars, among the range of supplies were Galil assault rifles, mini-Uzi submachine guns, sniper rifles, 82-mm B-300 grenade launchers , 81-mm mortars "Soltam", 106-mm recoilless M40 guns, anti-aircraft guns ZU-23-2, missiles, guided shells, ammunition and other military equipment in an amount sufficient to equip an army of 12 thousand people. ...
In 1994, by order of the General Staff of the Estonian Armed Forces, the Finnish company "Ultramatic" sold 1,300 pistols made in Western countries to arm the officers of the Estonian army. Some of the pistols were supposedly transferred to the Defense League.
In 1997, the United States donated 1,200 M-16A1 assault rifles, 1,500 M1911 pistols and a coast guard boat to Estonia free of charge. Valvas”, And in 1998 for the mobilization reserve - 40.5 thousand M-14 assault rifles with a total value of 2.4 million dollars or 43.3 million Estonian kroons. At the same time, the Estonian side had to pay only transportation costs for the delivery of weapons to Estonia in the amount of 5.4 million kroons.
Also, in 1998, nineteen 105-mm artillery M-61/37 artillery pieces fired before World War II were received from Finland.
In 1999, the Estonian army received from Sweden 100 Carl Gustaf M2 grenade launchers, 90-mm M60 recoilless anti-tank guns and 40-mm anti-aircraft guns with control systems worth 1.2 billion Swedish kronor.
In early 2000, a batch of mini-robots was received to detect explosive devices.
In March 2001, an agreement was concluded for the supply from the United States of the TPS-117 radar station, designed to create the BALTNET system. In March 2003, the construction of the station was completed, and in May 2003, the FPS-117 three-coordinate radar station was put into operation. The radar provides detection of aircraft at altitudes up to 30 km and at a distance of up to 450 km.
In early 2002, a large consignment of AK 4 assault rifles was received from Sweden, provided free of charge for the rearmament of army units (to replace the Galil assault rifles that were previously in service, which were transferred to the armament of the territorial units and the Defense League).
On August 2, 2002, under the US military assistance program, two R-44 Astro helicopters, equipped with photo and video equipment and thermal imagers, were donated free of charge. In April 2012, specialists from the American company "Rebtech" carried out their modernization by installing sets of NVIS equipment ( Night Vision Imaging Systems) for night flights.
In February 2004, a consignment of weapons worth 120 million Estonian kroons was purchased in Germany (18 pieces of 155-mm FH-70 towed howitzers, ATGM systems, as well as ammunition, spare parts and training programs for them).
On March 30, 2004, NATO fighters began patrolling the airspace of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia ( Operation Baltic Air Policing). As part of the operation, four tactical fighters (two pairs on duty) and a NATO aviation technical group (120 military personnel and civilian specialists) are permanently deployed at the Lithuanian airbase Zokniai. The cost of the operation is $ 20 million per month.
In May 2004, a contract was signed for the supply from Great Britain for the Estonian contingent in Afghanistan of seven Mamba Mk.2 armored vehicles, on August 26, 2004, the first 4 armored vehicles were received
In 2004, a batch of 60 XA-180EST armored personnel carriers was purchased in Finland, in December 2011, a contract was signed for the supply of 81 more Finnish XA-188 armored personnel carriers, previously in service with the Dutch army. On August 28, 2007, an additional contract was signed with the Finnish company Patria for the maintenance of armored personnel carriers, the supply of spare parts and special tools for them, and the transfer of technical documentation.
In the summer of 2005, an agreement was signed with the German company "Heckler & Koch" for the purchase of a batch of 9-mm pistols H&K USP
Also, in 2005, Estonia acquired the VERA-E passive electronic intelligence system in the Czech Republic worth $ 4 million.
In addition, under the American Foreign Military Financing program, in 2004 Estonia received free military aid from the United States in the amount of $ 6 million, in 2005 - in the amount of $ 5 million and in 2006 - in the amount of $ 4.2 million. ... In 2004-2005. These funds were mainly used to purchase radio stations, night vision devices, ground positioning systems, spare parts for cars and communication systems.
In February 2007, a contract was signed with the Swedish concern SAAB AB and the French corporation MBDA France for the supply of short-range air defense systems for the country's armed forces. In 2010, the Estonian army received the Mistral air defense system, which consists of Giraffe AMB radars, a command post, communications equipment, rocket launchers, Mistral missiles and training equipment. Radars, command centers and communications systems were sourced from Sweden, while missile launchers and ammunition were sourced from France. The total value of the contract was EEK 1 billion.
In 2007, an agreement was signed to supply the Estonian army with a batch of sniper weapons (French 12.7 mm PGM Hecate II sniper rifles and Finnish 8.6 mm Sako TRG-42 sniper rifles)
At the beginning of 2008, the modernization of the former Soviet airbase Amari (40 km from Tallinn) began in accordance with NATO standards. The original cost of the modernization program was 1 billion Estonian kroons (64 million euros), with half of the amount to be provided by NATO and the other half by the government of Estonia. The modernization of the airbase was completed on September 15, 2010. The total cost of the work was about 75 million euros, a third of the funds came from NATO.
In 2008, a contract was signed with Finland, and in 2009 36 D-30 122 mm howitzers, ammunition and other military equipment were received. The howitzers received from Finland were produced in the 1960s-1970s in the USSR and were in service with the GDR ground forces until the 1990s.
Also, in 2008, a contract was signed with the Swiss arms company "Brügger & Thomet", in accordance with which 2,500 automatic rifles in service with the Estonian army were modernized: an optical or collimator sight was installed on AK-4 assault rifles, Galil assault rifles were equipped with a metal aiming bar with a mount for installing additional equipment.
In October 2008, a contract was signed with the American firm "Hydroid" for the supply of two small-sized remotely controlled underwater vehicles "Remus 100" equipped with sonars
In addition, in 2008, the vehicle fleet was updated - 500 new vehicles were purchased for the Estonian army (in particular, Dutch DAF vehicles, German UNIMOG U1300 and Mercedes-Benz 1017A), and some obsolete vehicles (Swedish Volvo trucks, American GMC trucks In January 2009 was put up for sale
In 2009, a contract was signed for the purchase of two new three-coordinate ground master 403 medium-range radars manufactured by the American company Tales-Raytheon systems. Ground master 403 is a mobile radar capable of detecting air targets at ranges up to 470 km and altitudes up to 30 km. In addition to the procurement of the two main radars, the agreement provides for the supply of auxiliary radars, generators, containers, vehicles and training aids. The cost of the radars is estimated at 350 million Estonian kroons (31.15 million dollars). Payments will be made in installments from 2009 to 2014
In March 2011, the United States donated several RQ-11 Raven unmanned aerial vehicles to the Estonian contingent in Afghanistan.
In June 2011, the United States transferred 6 International MaxxPro armored vehicles to the Estonian contingent in Afghanistan.
In February 2012, a consignment of anti-aircraft weapons worth 283,050 euros was purchased in Finland (additional launchers of the Mistral air defense system, spare parts for them and 23-mm anti-aircraft guns ZU-23-2)
In November 2012, American General Frank D. Turner III announced that the United States was providing military assistance to Estonia under the FMF (Foreign military financing) and IMET (International Military Education and Training), for which millions of dollars are allocated annually. Only by program FMF Since 1995, the Estonian Armed Forces have received $ 70 million in military aid.
In mid-November 2014, Defense Minister Sven Mikser signed an agreement on the purchase of 80 FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank installations by Estonia from the United States, the agreement was concluded in the amount of 40 million euros. The agreement allows Estonia to buy 40 more launchers if needed. Deliveries began in 2015. The full implementation of the system is planned for 2016-2018.
In 2014, the delivery from the Netherlands of 44 CV9035 BMPs made in Sweden was ordered. Delivery will take place in 2016-18.
Symbols and flags
Logistics Center (est. Logistikakeskus)
Logistics battalion (Estonian Logistikapataljon)
Health center (est. Tervisekeskus)
Medical service (est. Meditsiiniteenistus)
Service of military chaplains (est. Kaplaniteenistus)
Headquarters and communications battalion (
Most recently, in November, the Estonian army boasted of its invincibility. At the same time, the Estonians sneered at the armed forces of Latvia, supposedly fit only to “guard sacks of flour in the rear”. The Latvian army was called "an empty place" in these boastful reports.
In the article by Mikka Salu ("Postimees"), the armies of the two neighboring republics in numbers. If in Estonia today there are 5,000-6,000 servicemen in the ranks, and in wartime 30-40 thousand can be armed, then in Latvia - 1.7 thousand and 12 thousand respectively. Estonian defense budget 2009-2010 - 565 million euros , while Latvians have only 370 million euros. And if the valiant Estonians will, if necessary, fight with machine guns, machine guns, mortars, artillery, air defense, anti-tank weapons and sit on armored personnel carriers (maybe even go), then the Latvian fighters will be able to move on foot, running or crawling with machine guns and machine guns. Some of the lucky ones will get rare mortars.
In this situation, the Estonians were seriously worried that in the event of an attack by some tyrant aggressor like Lukashenka, they themselves would have to defend their southern border: the Latvian army, that is, an “empty space”, would not help them.
Estonians wrote in the same newspaper:
“The Estonian and Latvian Defense Forces, which started from the same line twenty years ago, are now in a diametrically opposite position. The Latvian Defense Forces are completely unprepared to fight. They can neither defend their country, nor cooperate internationally. Estonia's southern border is defenseless. "
Spitting at their Baltic neighbor and praising their valiant army along the way - both quantitatively and qualitatively - the Estonians forgot to knock on wood and spit three times over their left shoulder.
And here you are.
Suddenly, the economic crisis hit Estonia with such ferocity that it was decided to almost cancel the army. In connection with the sharp impoverishment of the country, it is planned to abandon new helicopters, high-speed boats, a military town in Jagal, abolish a number of headquarters and cover four defense districts. Now, of course, Latvians will find something to answer to their Estonians.
It fell to the same Mikk Salu to write an article about the drastic changes in the army of his native country. And where did the former euphoria go?
The Estonian military defense development program for the next ten years, recently presented to the parliamentary national defense commission, provides for this and that, but first of all, with bitterness a journalist, it deals with cuts and cuts. Needless to say, if it is planned to abolish the headquarters of the Ground Forces, the headquarters of the Navy and the headquarters of the Air Force. At the same time, the new program will cancel four defense districts. The Estonian army will be forced to abandon large supplies provided for by the previous program. The military will receive neither tanks, nor helicopters, nor medium-range air defense missile systems. The fleet will be left without high-speed boats. No one (even Russian Tajiks at half price) will build a military town in Yagal.
What about the enemies in the person of Belarus and Russia? How now to face the Minister of Defense of Latvia, Artis Pabriks, who recently managed to adequately respond to the Estonian bragging rights? Sleep well, brothers-Estonians - approximately in these words Artis Pabriks is confident that the southern border of the Estonian state is safe.
And what about Latvia's enemies, who can easily invade its territory through defenseless Estonia? With what, you ask, enemies? With the Finns, of course: after every St. Petersburg alcohol tour, they dream of annexing Estonia, so that later it would be more convenient to fight with the Russians. Well, other fierce northern enemies may also appear, say, entrenched in Svalbard and in collusion with the Greenlandic Eskimos.
As for comrade Lukashenka, he, with the blessing of another comrade - Putin, will now intend to go through the entire Baltic region. The main thing here is to stop in time. Father will have breakfast in Vilnius, share lunch with a friend in Riga, and give dinner to the enemy in Tallinn.
As hardworking journalist Mikk Salu found out, the rejection of the previous plans of the Ministry of Defense seemed "abrupt" to the public, because all the previous plans were ... utopian.
“Until now, large-scale and utopian plans were hatched, unsupported by anything. There was a void behind these utopias, which was covered with loud words about state secrets, ”said one knowledgeable official.
Anonymous officials and deputies call the new program “reasonable”. They think it can even be done.
For significant changes in the development of the defense forces, the journalist writes, two reasons are hidden. One of them is money. The second is also a disgusting army leadership.
It turns out that in 2009 the country of Estonia rose to the very crest of economic growth. All countries in the world have fallen, but she has risen. Not otherwise, it was squeezed out, like a bubble, from the total mass plunged to the bottom. Tax revenues grew by more than 10 percent annually. In early 2009, Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo decided that 60 billion kroons (3.8 billion euros) should be spent on military needs. Another defense minister, Mart Laar, reported a year ago that the money had dropped by a billion euros (2.8 billion). The current minister, Urmas Reinsalu, is trying to continue the line set by Laar.
While the Estonians were arguing about whether they should make an atomic bomb, and were drawing up other utopian projects, there was a massive distribution of funds from the state budget - to everyone who asked.
“Everyone who wanted something got something. The ground forces want something - fine, we will write it for you in the program. The Air Force wants it too - okay, you get it too. The navy is scratching under the door - well, what is there, you too will fall. "
In November, the brisk Salu wrote: the trouble for Latvia is that there is no conscript service in the army there - there are only professional military personnel, but in Estonia there are conscripts, reservists, and professional military personnel. Journalist and brag about how good his sun family is:
"At the same time, Estonia is superior to Latvia in all respects, both quantitatively and qualitatively, we have more soldiers and they are better trained, we also have more equipment and it is of better quality."
And what can these - pff - Latvian submachine gunners?
“The Latvian armed forces are, in fact, lightly armed infantrymen, which means the presence of assault rifles, machine guns and mortars. There are almost no armored personnel carriers, anti-tank equipment, artillery and air defense in Latvia ... Our warring soldiers move in armored vehicles, and Latvians run on foot. "
“In the end, a lot was done and nothing. It is planned to acquire medium-range missiles, but during the exercises, half of the officers communicate with each other by mobile phones, since there are not enough communication systems.
There is talk of buying tanks, but hardly it comes to how, for example, in the event of a war breaking out to transfer the Viru Infantry Battalion to Sinimäe, everyone starts scratching their heads, but do we have vehicles for transporting it, and even if we do, then where are they located and where would we get fuel, and whether we have enough ammunition and cartridges for the third day of hostilities.
As a result, the Estonian armed forces are impressive on paper and in their structure resemble the army of some large state, but in reality we are talking about a mass of men with extremely light weapons. "
Daggers and bows must be.
How quickly “more soldiers and better trained” dropped to “a mass of men”!
What about quality technology? But:
“The available artillery base is very insignificant, there are very few modern anti-tank forces, and the short-range air defense forces against helicopters and low-flying aircraft are completely insufficient.
At the same time, there is not even normal communication, transport ... "
Etc.
“The realism of the new development program, at least in the eyes of its compilers, should consist precisely in the fact that, before doing big things, first eliminate all those small shortcomings and gaps (in their totality they form one giant gap) that are now giving themselves know".
Obviously, what Mikk Salu described is considered "minor flaws" in Estonia. In short, the Estonians should rejoice if the Latvians, in the event of an attack by Lukashenka's troops or an offensive by the hordes of Greenlanders, take the bravest inhabitants of Tallinn to guard the transport of flour.
Mr. Salu notes in passing that there were also "completely radical ideas" - for example, "the elimination of the Estonian naval forces." Fortunately, they were not included in the development program.
Well, Moscow was not built right away ... Leading experts in the field of the world economy promise that the financial crisis will continue for at least ten years to come. It seems that the Baltic brothers from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have the same fate: the complete abolition of not only intermediate headquarters, but the armed forces in general.
As for the atomic bomb, it is doubtful that leaders of such an eastern toughness as Kim Jong-un (the male sex symbol of 2012, according to Onion magazine) and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (the main patron of the peaceful atom program in Iran and Kim Jong-un's secret ally).
In order not to embarrass his officers, who are running around the fields of exercises with cell phones in search of horse-drawn vehicles, the President of Estonia recently announced a new program of the Ministry of Defense, which cuts everything and everyone, "ambitious"
On December 10, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves met with the Minister of Defense Urmas Reinsalu and the Commander of the Defense Forces, Brigadier General Riho Terras, who gave him, the Commander-in-Chief, a new program planned for 10 years to be read to him. In the first year, reduce it, in the second year - refuse it, in the third year ...
And this is what our favorite newspaper Postimees is about:
“The President expressed gratitude to the officials of the Ministry of Defense and officers of the General Staff for setting ambitious, but at the same time realistic, accurate, reasonable and feasible tasks.
“The conclusions and reasons presented by the Minister of Defense and the Commander of the Defense Forces were convincing. Estonia has a good, reality-based development program for the state defense, ”Ilves said.
The nearest event of the new "ambitious" program will be the withdrawal of troops from Tallinn. All military units will be from the capital of the republic. The deputies have kept secret the place of their new deployment. Probably, they fear the Russian Iskander and the plans of Comrade Putin, who, they say, is tortured by nostalgia for the USSR.
However, it is easy to guess: it is likely that Urmas Reinsalu and Artis Pabriks have already agreed on everything, and the Estonian soldiers are secretly moving south, closer to the border Latvian barns ...
Estonian Armed Forces ( Eesti sõjavägi) began to form in November 1918 on a voluntary basis and numbered 2000 people at that time. By 1920, the size of the Estonian army had grown to 75,000.
In 1918 - 1920 the Estonian army fought against the Red Army of the RSFSR, the Estonian Red Army ( Eesti Punakaart) and the German Iron Division (German volunteers) of General Count Rüdiger von der Goltz (Rüdiger Graf von der Goltz). In the course of the hostilities, about 3,000 Estonian soldiers were killed.
For 20 years, from 1920 to 1940, the Estonian Armed Forces did not participate in hostilities.
Estonian artillerymen
In October 1928, the Law on Military Service was introduced in Estonia, according to which its term was determined at 12 months for the infantry, cavalry and artillery and 18 months for the technical branches of the troops and the navy.
As of September 1, 1939, there were 15,717 people in the Estonian Armed Forces (1,485 officers, 2,796 non-commissioned officers, 10,311 soldiers and 1125 civil servants). According to mobilization plans, the wartime army was to consist of 6,500 officers, 15,000 non-commissioned officers and 80,000 soldiers.
In September 1939, the territory of Estonia was divided into three divisional military districts.
From 1921, the Estonian officer corps was trained for three years at the Military School ( Sõjakool), founded in April 1919.To transfer to the headquarters officer ranks (from major and above), training was required on the General Staff Courses created in August 1925 ( KindralstaabiKursus) or the Higher Military School ( Kõrgem Sõjakool). A number of senior officers of the Estonian Armed Forces were educated at the military academies of France, Belgium, Sweden. At the headquarters of the divisions there were non-commissioned officer schools ( Allohvitseride kool). Since 1928, special courses have been created for the training of reserve officers.
Military School Banner
Johan Laidoner
The structure of the Estonian Armed Forces was as follows:
Higher military administration. The Supreme Commander of the Estonian Armed Forces was General Johan Laidoner ( Johan laidoner), who headed the Defense Council. The Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Nikolai Reek ( Nikolai Reek) and Chief of the General Staff, General Alexander Yakson ( Aleksander Jaakson).
Land army. The Estonian Land Army, by peacetime states, included three infantry divisions.
The 1st Infantry Division (3750 people) under the command of Major General Alexander Pulk ( Aleksander-Voldemar Pulk) included: one infantry regiment, two separate infantry battalions, two artillery groups (18 guns), an armored train regiment (three trains and one battery of railway guns), Narva stationary artillery batteries (13 guns) and a separate anti-tank company.
The 2nd Infantry Division (4578 people) under the command of Major General Herbert Brede ( Herbert brede) consisted of one infantry regiment, one cavalry regiment, four separate battalions, two artillery groups (18 guns) and two separate anti-tank companies.
The 3rd Infantry Division (3286 people) consisted of: six separate infantry battalions, an artillery group, two separate anti-tank companies.
It also included the Autotank Regiment, led by Colonel Johannes Wellerind ( Johannes August Vellerind), which included 23 armored vehicles and 22 tanks (and tankettes). The tanks were represented by four British vehicles. MK-V and twelve French Renault FT-17... In 1938 Estonia bought six tankettes from Poland TKS.
Estonian tankers. 1936 g.
In 1940, the formation of the 4th Infantry Division under the command of Colonel Jaan Maide ( Jaan maide) that was not completed.
In 1939, the Estonian army was armed with 173,400 rifles, 8,900 pistols and revolvers, 496 submachine guns and 5190 machine guns.
Air Force. The Estonian military aviation was consolidated into an air regiment, which included:
- 1st Air Division - seven aircraft Hawker hart;
- 2nd air division - two aircraft Letov Š.228E and five planes Henschel Hs. 126;
- 3rd Aviation Division - four aircraft BristolBulldog and one plane AvroAnson.
An aviation school operated under the air regiment.
The Commander of the Estonian Air Force was Richard Tomberg ( Richard Tomberg).
Estonian Air Force aircraft
Naval forces. The Estonian Navy ( Eesti Merevägi) included two submarines - Kalev and Lembit, two patrol ships Pikker and Sulev, four gunboats Vanemuine, Tartu, Ahti and Ilmatar, two minelayers Ristna and Suurop... The Commander of the Estonian Navy was Major Captain Johannes Santpunk ( Johannes santpank).
Estonian submarines
Paramilitary formations. Estonian Border Guard ( Eesti piirivalve) since 1922 it was subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it was headed by Major General Ants Kurvits ( Ants kurvits).
Ants Kurvits
Johannes Orasmaa
The border guard numbered 1,100, including over 70 border guards working with service dogs. The Estonian border was guarded by Tallinn, Lääne, Pechora, Chudskoe and Narva branches, numbering 164 outposts and posts.
Militia Defense Association ( Kaitseliit) was formed in 1918. It was headed by General Johannes Orasmaa ( Johannes orasmaa)
By 1940, the number of members of the Association reached 43,000 men, in auxiliary units - 20,000 women and about 30,000 teenagers.
On August 30, 1940, the Estonian army was transformed into the 22nd Estonian Territorial Rifle Corps (180th and 182nd Rifle Divisions with a separate artillery regiment and air squadron) under the command of Lieutenant General Gustav Ionson ( Gustav jonson), who on July 17, 1941 was arrested by the NKVD on espionage charges. His post was taken by Major General Alexander Sergeevich Ksenofontov.
Estonian militias
On August 31, 1941, the 22nd Estonian Territorial Rifle Corps as part of the Red Army was disbanded due to the fact that 4500 of its 5500 people went over to the enemy's side. The remaining Estonian soldiers were sent to labor battalions stationed in remote regions of the North.
Õun M. Eesti sõjavägi 1920 - 1940. Tammiskilp. Tallinn, 2001.