Military of Estonia
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/Reconfirmer|Reconfirmer]] to last version by Karabinier (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
{{Infobox National Military
| name= Estonian Defence Forces
| native_name =Eesti Kaitsevägi
| image= [[Image:EKV symbols.jpg|200px]]
| caption=Estonian Defence Forces emblem and flag
| headquarters= [[Tallinn]] <!-- Main headquarters of the nation's military -->
| commander-in-chief=[[Lieutenant General|Ltn. General]] [[Ants Laaneots]]
| minister=[[Jaak Aaviksoo]]
| minister_title= Defence Minister
| commander=[[Colonel]] [[Neeme Väli]]
| commander_title = General Staff
| active=
Military: 5,600
----
Paramilitary: 20,000
| reserve= 46,000
| amount=€ 315 million (FY08)<ref>http://mod.gov.ee/?op=body&id=479 Kaitseministeeriumi 2008. aasta eelarve</ref>
| percent_GDP=1.8% (2008 est.)<ref>http://mod.gov.ee/?op=body&id=6 Kaitsekulutused 2008. aastal</ref>
| branches= [[Image:EKV-Army.jpg|30px]] [[Maavägi|Estonian Army]]<br> [[Image:EKV-Navy.jpg|30px]] [[Merevägi|Estonian Navy]]<br> [[Image:EKV-Air Force.jpg|30px]] [[Estonian Air Force|Estonian Air Force]]<br>[[Image:EKV-D66.jpg|30px]] [[Estonian Defence League]]
| age=17 (voluntary)<br/>18 (compulsory)
| available=340,000 (2008 est.)
| fit=275,000 (2008 est.)
| reaching=11,500 (2008 est.) <!-- Population reaching military age per year -->
| conscription = 8 or 11 months
| domestic_suppliers=[[Image:Flag_of_Estonia.svg|22px]] '''AS E-ARSENAL'''<br>[[Image:Flag_of_Estonia.svg|22px]] '''OÜ ELI''' <br>[[Image:Flag_of_Estonia.svg|22px]] '''OÜ ENGLO''' <!-- List major domestic firms and suppliers of military equipment -->
| foreign_suppliers={{DEN}} {{FRA}}<br>{{SWE}} {{FIN}}<br>{{GER}} {{USA}}<br>{{ISR}}<br> <!-- List major supplying countries for the nation's armed forces (equipment, training, etc.) -->
| history= '''1918-1920''' [[Estonian Liberation War]]<br> '''1944-1978''' [[Forest Brothers|Estonian Guerilla War]]<br>'''2003-''' [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]]<br>'''2003-'''[[Multinational force in Iraq|War in Iraq]] <!-- List main historical articles on wiki -->
| exports= <!-- Value of annual arms exports -->
| imports= <!-- Value of annual arms imports -->
| history= [[Military history of Estonia]]
| ranks= [[Military ranks of Estonia]]
}}
The [[Military of Estonia|Estonian Defence Forces]] ({{lang-et|'''Eesti Kaitsevägi'''}} {{Audio|SfR-0-EKV.ogg|<small>listen</small>}} is the name of the unified armed forces of the [[Republic of Estonia]]. The [[Estonia|Estonian]] [[military]] is a defence force consisting of an [[Estonian Army|Maavägi]] (''Army''), [[Estonian Navy|Merevägi]] (''Navy''), [[Estonian Air Force|Õhuvägi]] (''Air Force'') and a paramilitary organization [[Estonian Defence League|Kaitseliit]] (''Defence League''). The national defence policy aims to guarantee the [[preservation]] of the [[independence]] and [[sovereignty]] of the state, the [[integrity]] of its land area, territorial waters and airspace and its constitutional order. Its main goals remain the development and maintenance of a credible [[capability]] to defend the nation's vital interests and development of the [[Estonian Defence Forces|Defence Forces]] in a way that ensures their [[interoperability]] with the armed forces of [[NATO]] and [[European Union]] member states and their capability to participate in the full range of [[NATO|Alliance missions]].<ref>http://mil.ee/index_eng.php Estonian National Defence Policy</ref>
In April 1917 the mobilization department of the [[Chief of the General Staff (Russia)|Russian General Staff]] issued an order to concentrate Estonian military personnel in their homeland. The first ethnic Estonian military unit was formed on the [[20 May]] [[1917]] when the [[Heads of military of Imperial Russia#Ministry of War|Russian Minister of War]] gave his official permission to form the ''[[1st Estonian Regiment]]''.<br />
[[Colonel]] [[Aleksander Tõnisson]] was appointed to command the unit which comprised 32 officers and 3,372 soldiers. The formation of the ''[[1st Estonian Regiment|1st Regiment]]'' was transferred to [[Lääne-Viru County|Virumaa]] to [[Rakvere]] where the unit achieved its maximum numbers of 118 officers and 10,151 soldiers. Throughout its existence 216 officers and 11,538 soldiers served in the regiment. The regiment was the base for the creation of national soldiers, officers, military units and eventually the national armed forces.
After Estonia had declared independence on [[24 February]] [[1918]] the armed forces of Estonia were established on [[16 November]] [[1918]], shortly after the end of the [[First World War]] in order to protect the country.
==History==
{{main|Estonian War of Independence|Estonia in World War II|Estonian Legion}}
After the [[German Revolution]], between 11 and 14 November 1918, ending the [[German occupation in Estonia]], the [[Government of Germany|representatives of Germany]] formally handed over political power to the [[Government of Estonia]]. A new military invasion by the [[Bolshevist Russia]] followed a few days later, marking the beginning of the [[Estonian War of Independence]]. The small, poorly armed Estonian military, also known as the ({{lang-et|'''Rahvavägi'''}}) (''Peoples Force''), was initially pushed back by the [[Red Army]] into the vicinity of the capital city of Estonia - [[Tallinn]]. A mere 34 kilometers separated Tallinn and the front line. Partly due to the timely arrival of a shipment of arms brought by a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[naval squadron]] the Bolsheviks were stopped.
{{Kaitsevägi}}
In January 1919, the Estonian armed forces launched a counteroffensive, the ''[[May Offensive Operation (Estonian)|May Offensive]]'', under [[Commander-in-Chief]] [[Johan Laidoner]]. The [[Estonian Army|Ground Forces]] were supported by the [[Royal Navy]] as well as [[Heimosodat|Finnish]], [[Sweden|Swedish]] and [[Denmark|Danish]] [[volunteers]]. By the end of February 1919, the Red Army had been expelled from all of the territory of Estonia. On [[2 February]] [[1920]], the [[Treaty of Tartu (Russian–Estonian)|Peace Treaty of Tartu]] was signed by the [[Republic of Estonia]] and [[Bolshevist Russia|Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic]]. After winning the Estonian Liberation War against Soviet Russia and German [[Freikorps]] volunteers, Estonia maintained its independence for twenty-two years.
The [[wiktionary:fate|fate]] of the Republic of Estonia before the [[World War II]] was decided by the [[Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact|German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact]] of August 1939 after Stalin gained Hitler's agreement to divide Eastern Europe into "spheres of special interest" according to the [[Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact]] and its [[s:Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact#Secret Additional Protocol|Secret Additional Protocol]].<ref> The World Book Encyclopedia ISBN 0716601036</ref><ref> The History of the Baltic States by Kevin O'Connor ISBN 0313323550</ref><ref>The History of the Baltic States by Kevin O'Connor ISBN 0313323550</ref> The [[Government of Estonia|Estonian government]] was forced to give their assent to an agreement which allowed the [[USSR]] to establish military bases and station 25,000 troops on Estonian soil for "mutual defence".<ref> The Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania by David J. Smith, Page 24, ISBN 0415285801</ref> On [[June 12]], [[1940]], the order for a total military blockade on Estonia was given to the Soviet [[Baltic Fleet]].<ref>{{fi icon}} [http://www.mil.fi/laitokset/tiedotteet/1282.dsp Pavel Petrov ] at Finnish Defence Forces home page</ref><ref>{{ru icon}} [http://www.rusin.fi/publications/warinpetsamo/indexEN.html documents published] from the State Archive of the Russian Navy</ref> On [[June 17]], [[1940]], The Estonian government decided, given the overwhelming Soviet force, not to resist, to avoid bloodshed and open war.<ref>The Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania by David J. Smith p.19 ISBN 0415285801</ref> The military occupation of Estonia was complete by the June 21 1940.<ref> The Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania by David J. Smith, Page 27, ISBN 0415285801 </ref>, <ref name="TM006241940">[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,764071-2,00.html Five Years of Dates] at Time magazine on Monday, Jun. 24, 1940</ref> The armed forces of Estonia were disarmed in July 1940 by the Red Army according to the [[Soviet]] orders.<ref>http://www.mil.ee/?menu=kaitsevagi&sisu=kvaja1 History of the Estonian Defence Forces</ref> Only the ''[[Estonian Single Signal Battalion]]'' stationed in [[Tallinn]] at Raua Street continued to [[Resistance (military)|resist]]. As the [[Red Army]] brought in additional reinforcements supported by six [[armoured fighting vehicle]]s, the battle lasted several hours until sundown. There was one dead, several wounded on the Estonian side and about 10 killed and more wounded on the Soviet side. The military resistance was ended with [[negotiation]]s and the ''[[Estonian Single Signal Battalion|Signal Battalion]]'' surrendered and was disarmed.<ref>{{et icon}}[http://www.mil.ee/?id=297&sisu=uudis 51 years from the Raua Street Battle] at Estonian Defence Forces Home Page</ref>
The ''[[Eesti Kaitsevägi]]'' was restored on [[3 September]] [[1991]] by the Supreme Council of the [[Republic of Estonia]]. Since 1991 to 2008 the armed forces of Estonia have re-opened and restored more than 30 old and new units and several army branches.
==Structure==
[[Image:Estonian-Defence-areas.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Estonian defence regions]]
The average size of the Estonian Defence Forces in peacetime is about 5,600 of whom about 2,200 are conscripts. The Defence League has more than 10,000 members. The planned size of the operational (wartime) structure at the moment is 16,000 personnel.
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.
== National defence policy ==
Its main goals remain the development and maintenance of a credible capability to defend the nation's vital interests and development of the EDF in a way that ensures their interoperability with the armed forces of [[NATO]] and [[EU]] member states and their capability to participate in the full range of Alliance missions.
In [[peacetime]] the main tasks of EDF are to monitor and maintain control over territorial borders and airspace, maintain combat readiness, train conscripts and develop reserve units, participate in NATO and UN-led international missions, and provide assistance to civilian authorities in case of national emergency.
In [[crises]] the main tasks of EDF are to increase the readiness levels of units as required, prepare for transition to wartime structure and begin mobilization as ordered, integrate units from other ministries, and prepare for assistance from and reception of friendly forces.
In [[wartime]] the main tasks of EDF are to defend the territorial integrity of the state, to facilitate the arrival and deployment of forces from other countries and co-operate with them, to maintain control over national airspace and facilitate the air defence of strategic assets in co-operation with forces from other countries.
== Leadership of the national defence ==
[[Image:EST-TANKIANTS.jpg|110px|thumb|left|Ants Laaneots]]
The national defence of Estonia is conducted on the principles of civilian control inherently bound with the democratic organisation of the state. Democratically elected and appointed executive institutions make decisions on the use of the Defence Forces and determine the respective objectives, allocate the necessary resources and monitor the attainment of the objectives.
The implementation of the principles of civilian control is guaranteed by defence-related rights, obligations and responsibilities legislatively laid upon the Parliament, the President of the Republic and the Government of the Republic.
The highest leader of the national defence is the President of the Republic advised in national defence matters by the National Defence Council comprising of the Chairman of the Parliament, the Prime Minister, the Chief of the Defence Forces (the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces in wartime), the Defence Minister, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chairman of the Parliamentary National Defence Committee.
Executive power in the leadership of the national defence is executed by the Government of the Republic.
== Organization ==
The Estonian Defence Forces consist of regular military units totaling 5,600 officers and men, and a voluntary corps, the [[Estonian Defence League]] with about 10,000 soldiers. The Defence Forces are stationed within four defence districts with headquarters in [[Tallinn]], [[Rakvere]], [[Tartu]], [[Pärnu]].
=== Estonian Army===
{{main|Maavägi}}
[[Image:EST-infantry.jpg|300px|thumb|right|"Spring Storm 2007" - Estonian infantry]]
The [[Maavägi|Estonian Army]] is the main arm of the Defence Forces. The Army development priorities are the capability to participate in missions outside the national territory and perform operations protecting the territory of Estonia in co-operation with Allied forces.
The operational structure of the Estonian Army consists of an infantry brigade and a homeland security organization. Deployable infantry battalion tactical groups and deployable [[Combat Support]] and [[Combat Service Support]] units will be developed in accordance with NATO Force Proposal requirements. The infantry brigade will act as a training and support formation for deployable Army units. Homeland security units will have the capability to carry out territorial military tasks or support civil authorities when required.
===Navy===
{{main|Merevägi}}
[[Image:EKV-Estonian-Naval-vessels.jpg|300px|left|thumb|Estonian Navy vessels in the Mine-harbor]]
The Navy is responsible for protecting the territorial waters of the Republic of Estonia. In case of a crisis situation the Navy must be ready to defend sea approaches, harbour areas, sea lines of communication and to co-operate with coalition units.
The top priority for the Navy is the development of its [[Naval mine#Countermeasuresmine countermeasures|minesweeping and minehunting]] capability that is also one of the Navy's peacetime responsibilities: during World War I and II more than 80 000 [[Naval mine|naval mines]] were laid in the Baltic Sea. Beginning in 1995 a number of mine clearance operations have been carried out in Estonian waters in close co-operation with other navies of the Baltic Sea region in order to find and dispose ordnance and contribute to safe seagoing.
Since that time Estonian Navy ships have participated in most of the major international exercises and operations carried out in the Baltic Sea.
Even though it was not until 1994 when the Navy was re-established and despite of the fact that it incorporates one of the smallest fleets in the world, the young crews of the Navy ships have demonstrated excellent interoperability during international exercises and have proved to be equal partners with other navies.
Most of the Estonian Navy officers have been trained in European or US naval academies. In 2003 Estonian Navy established its own Centre of Naval Education and Training (CNET) to train petty officers.
Each Baltic state shares its limited training resources with the others, for instance Estonia provides communications training in Baltic Naval Communications School in Tallinn and Latvia hosts common Baltic Naval Diving Training Centre in Liepaja.
===Air Force===
{{main|Estonian Air Force}}
[[Image:Roundel of the Estonian Air Force.svg|left|35px|Estonian Air force]]
[[Image:EST-AF-iet.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Estonian L-39 in the air]]
The [[Estonian Air Force|''Õhuvägi'']] is the main arm of the Estonian [[aviation]] [[forces]]. The average size of the military formation in peacetime is about 210 men. The ''Õhuvägi'' has important role in enhancing flight safety in [[Estonia|Estonian]] [[airspace]]. One of the main goals of the ''Õhuvägi'' is to build up an air surveillance system, which will be the cornerstone of the air traffic safety and airspace control. The second priority is the development of Host Nation Support capabilities for air operations and the implementation of crucial peacetime Air Defence capability - Air Policing. One important milestone will be the development of an air surveillance system to a level which allows close cooperation with the [[NATO]] air defence system.
The [[Estonian Air Force|''Õhuvägi'']] has since 1994 been rebuilding the destroyed military infrastructure which was left behind by the [[Russian Army]]. Most of the funds have been directed to the [[Ämari Air Base|Ämari military airfield]] which will be completed around 2010.<ref>http://mod.gov.ee/?op=body&id=401 NATO investeeringud</ref> The objective of developing [[Ämari Air Base]] is to cooperate with NATO and partner nations air forces and being able to supply standardized airfield and aircraft services necessary for Host Nation Support. Due to the lack of modern and developed military [[aviation]] [[infrastructure]] the Air Force development has been very slow.
== Training ==
During their 8-month training the conscripts acquire a basic military education and start with trainings of co-operation in smaller units (squad, platoon, company). After the compulsory military service reservists are called up for trainings for reserve in every five years. The trainings for reserve under staff command involve reinforcement of skills already acquired and practice of action of reserve companies and battalions in situations resembling those of real battle.
===Military education ===
Teaching in the Estonian National Defence College is conducted in the broad-based applied higher education programme. Some of the teaching is carried out by the teaching staff of the [[University of Tartu]], Tallinn Technical University and other institutions of higher education in Estonia. Graduates of the ENDC may perform different duties within the Estonian Defence Forces, Defence League, as well as Border Guard and Rescue Board sub-units. Upon completion of the basic and designated studies, the cadets can specialise in the following military disciplines: infantry, logistics, signals, engineer, artillery, air defence and border guard. The applied higher education diploma is issued after the completion of speciality practice in sub-units of the Estonian Defence Forces and defence of the final paper.
==Modernization==
===E-Military===
{{main|E-Military of Estonia|Cyberattacks on Estonia 2007}}
The [[Military of Estonia]] is introducing a new 21st century based [[cyber warfare]] and [[defence]] [[formation]] in order to protect the vital [[infrastructure]] and [[internet|e-infrastructure]] of Estonia. Currently the leading organization in the Estonian cyber defence is the '''[http://www.cert.ee/ CERT]''' (the Computer Emergency Response Team of Estonia), established in 2006, as an organisation responsible for the management of security incidents in .ee computer networks. Its task is to assist Estonian internet users in the implementation of preventive measures in order to reduce possible damage from security incidents and to help them in responding to security threats. The unit deals with security incidents that occur in Estonian networks, are started there, or have been notified of by citizens or institutions either in Estonia or abroad.<ref>http://www.ria.ee/?id=28201 CERT Estonia</ref>
On [[June 25]], [[2007]], Estonian president [[Toomas Hendrik Ilves]] met with the president of [[USA]], [[George W. Bush]].<ref>[[White House]] [[May 4]], [[2007]]: [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070504-6.html President Bush to Welcome President Toomas Ilves of Estonia]</ref> Among the topics discussed were the attacks on Estonian e-infrastructure.
<ref>Yahoo/[[Agence France-Presse|AFP]] [[June 25]], [[2007]]: [http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070625/tc_afp/usestoniainternet Bush, Ilves eye tougher tack on cybercrime]</ref>
The attacks triggered a number of military organisations around the world to reconsider the importance of network security to modern military doctrine. On [[June 14]], [[2007]], defence ministers of [[NATO]] members held a meeting in [[Brussels]], issuing a joint [[communiqué]] promising immediate action. First public results are estimated to arrive by autumn 2007.<ref>[[Eesti Päevaleht]] [[June 15]], [[2007]]: [http://www.epl.ee/artikkel/389847 NATO andis rohelise tule Eesti küberkaitse kavale] by [[Ahto Lobjakas]]</ref>
As to the placement of a newly planned [[NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence]] ([[CCD]] [[COE]]), Bush proclaimed the policy of [[USA]] as supporting Estonia as this centre's location.<ref>[[Eesti Päevaleht]] [[June 28]], [[2007]]: [http://www.epl.ee/artikkel/391287 USA toetab Eesti küberkaitsekeskust] by [[Krister Paris]]</ref> In the aftermath of the [[Cyberattacks on Estonia 2007]], plans to combine network defence with Estonian military doctrine, and related [[NATO]] plans to create a Cybernetic Defence Centre in Estonia, have been nicknamed the "Tiger's Defence" ({{lang-et|'''Tiigrikaitse'''}}), in reference to Tiigrihüpe.<ref>Office of the [[President of Estonia]] [[June 25]], [[2007]]: [http://www.president.ee/et/ametitegevus/ametlikud_teated.php?gid=96087 President Ilves kohtus Ameerika Ühendriikide riigipeaga]</ref>
==Insignia==
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OF/Estonia}}
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{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Estonia}}
|- align = center
|}
==International relations==
The [[North Atlantic Treaty|Washington Treaty]] was ratified by the [[Riigikogu]] on March 10, 2004. Since 29 March 2004 Estonia is a full member of the [[NATO]]. It had been one of its foremost priorities since the restoration of independence. The [[United States]] is among the countries with which Estonia has very close cooperation in the defence and security fields. Currently Estonia takes seriously participation in [[NATO Response Force]] and contributes in NTM-I (NATO Training Mission - Iraq). At the present Estonia has 35 soldiers fighting alongside American Forces in the [[Iraq War]] and 120 soldiers, or about 3% of its total active military force, fighting alongside British Forces in the [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]]. In both cases, the units are regularly rotated. Estonia also provides peacekeepers for international missions in both [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]] and [[Kosovo]] within the framework of the [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]] and contributes to EU battlegroups and NATO Response Force rotations. The Estonian military employs [[STANAG]] (NATO interoperable) weapons and equipment acquired from Finland, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Great Britain, the United States, and Israel.
==See also==
==Notes and references==
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{{reflist|2}}
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{{Estonian Military}}
{{Militaries of European Union member states}}
{{NATO}}
{{Military of Europe}}
[[Category:Military of Estonia| ]]
[[Category:Conscript militaries|Estonia]]
[[bg:Въоръжени сили на Естония]]
[[de:Estnische Streitkräfte]]
[[et:Eesti kaitsejõud]]
[[fr:Armée estonienne]]
[[it:Forze armate dell'Estonia]]
[[lv:Igaunijas Aizsardzības spēki]]
[[hu:Észtország hadereje]]
[[pt:Forças Armadas da Estônia]]
[[ru:Вооружённые силы Эстонии]]
[[uk:Збройні сили Естонії]]