Other units of the Defence Forces: • Future Capability and Innovation Command •
Cyber Command • Support Command • Supply Battalion •
Military Police •
Guard Battalion •
Estonian Special Operations Force In peacetime, the main tasks of the EDF are to monitor and maintain control over territorial borders and airspace, maintain combat readiness, train conscripts, develop reserve units, participate in NATO and UN-led international missions, and to provide assistance to civilian authorities in case of a national emergency. In crises, the main tasks of the 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 the 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 to facilitate the air defence of strategic assets in co-operation with forces from other countries.
Leadership of the National Defence The national defence of Estonia is conducted on the principles of civilian control, being inherently bound with the democratic organization of the state. Democratically elected and appointed executive institutions make decisions on the use of the defence forces, determine their respective objectives, allocate 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 legislated by
parliament, the
President, and the
government of the republic. The highest leader of the national defence is the President, who is advised in national defence matters by the
National Defence Council. The council is composed of the chairman of the Parliament, the Prime Minister, the Chief of the Defence Forces (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. The federal government holds executive power in the leadership of the national defence.
Headquarters In peacetime, the Estonian Defence Forces and the national defence organisations, including the Defence League, are led by the
Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces. In wartime, all these components are commanded by the commander-in-chief of the defence forces. The Chief of the Defence Forces and the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces are both appointed and released from office by the
Ministry of Defence and the Cabinet on the proposal of the President of the Republic of Estonia. The Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces is the headquarters of the military of Estonia, and acts as the working body of the Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces. The General Staff is a joint staff, engaged with operational leadership, training, and development of the defence forces. Operational leadership is implemented by the Operational Staff, which plans and controls operations, ensuring defence readiness and mobilisation. The departments for training and development are responsible for long-term and mid-term planning, resource planning, organisation, and control over the implementation of national defence activities. The General Staff of the Defence Forces is headed by the Chief of the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces.
Land Forces The
Estonian Land Forces (Estonian:
Maavägi) is the main arm of the defence forces. The average size of the military formation in peacetime is about 6,700, about 3,200 of whom being conscripts. The Army component of the operational structure consists of the
Estonian Division, which includes the
1st and
2nd Infantry Brigades, as well as an artillery battalion and support units. Both infantry brigades act as training and support frames for deployable units. The Land Force's development priorities are the capability to participate in missions outside the national territory and the capability to perform operations to protect the territory of Estonia, also in co-operation with allied forces.
Navy at sea The
Estonian Navy (Estonian:
Merevägi) is responsible for all naval operations and protecting of Estonia's territorial water. The main functions of the naval force are the defence of the territorial waters and coast line, ensuring maritime security, maintaining and managing communications and sea traffic, and co-operation with NATO and the navies of other friendly countries. In case of a crisis situation, the
Merevägi must be ready to defend sea access points, harbour areas, maritime lines of communication, and to co-operate with coalition units. The
Merevägi includes units of patrol ships,
minesweepers, a frigate, and coast guard units. This equipment is necessary to ensure the security of maritime communications lines and to establish and clear mine barriers. The majority of the naval forces are situated at the
Miinisadam Naval Base. Its current structure operates the
Mineships Division which also includes a diving group. In addition, there is the Naval Academy and the Naval Headquarters which are situated in Tallinn. Since 1995, numerous mine clearance operations have been carried out in Estonian waters in close co-operation with other navies of the
Baltic region in order to find and dispose ordnances and contribute to safe seagoing. In 2007 the
Merevägi mineships fleet was modernized and equipped with
Sandown class minehunters. In 2010, in accordance with the long-term defence development plan, it was announced that the
Merevägi will receive some new capabilities. Of those new warfare capabilities, the procurement of multirole fast patrol boats was the priority. The benefits of the vehicles to operations are the increased defence of territorial waters and improvement of maritime surveillance. In addition to the current capabilities, the command and control and shore-to-vessel communications were also to be improved further.
Air Force ground attack aircraft from
Michigan Air National Guard at
Ämari Air Base The
Estonian Air Force (Estonian:
Õhuvägi) is the main arm of the Estonian
aviation forces. The roots of the current organization date back to 1918, when
August Roos organized the first Estonian aviation unit. The Independence War gave great impetus to the development of the Estonian Air Force, which had, by the middle of the 1930s, more than 130 modern aircraft. The organization consisted of the Naval Aviation Group, Flight School, Air Base, and Air Defence Artillery Group. Estonian engineers designed and constructed the fighter aircraft, which displayed outstanding performance. The Estonian Air Force was re-established in 1991, with the objectives of controlling Estonian airspace and the air defence of strategic objects. The Estonian Air Force was slow to reform due to the severely damaged infrastructure left behind by the
Soviet Air Force and air defence units. The Estonian Air Force was restored on 13 April 1994. From 1993 to 1995, Estonia received two
Let L-410 UVP transport aircraft, three
Mil Mi-2, and four
Mil Mi-8 helicopters. The service branch received old Soviet radar and AAA equipment. The majority of Estonian Air Force units are currently stationed at the
Ämari Air Base, where renovation was completed in 2012. The airfield and
garrison at Ämari are focused on preparing for and facilitating cooperation with NATO and allied air forces. It enables the supply of standardized airfield and aircraft services necessary for host nation support.
Estonian Special Operations Force Estonian Special Operations Force (ESTSOF) is the special operations command of the Estonian Defence Forces. Its tasks include special
reconnaissance and surveillance, military support, and direct action. The primary objective of the Special Operations Force is the development of capabilities for
unconventional warfare.
Military Police of the Estonian Defence Forces The Military Police of the Estonian Defence Forces is the military police unit of the Estonian Defence Forces. The tasks of the military police include: investigation of serious disciplinary cases and some armed service- related
crimes, supervision of
military discipline within the Forces, military
traffic control and various security tasks. The MP reserves are regularly trained in
Guard Battalion, which also conducts ceremonial duties.
Cyber Command The
Estonian Defence Forces Cyber Command is responsible for conducting cyber operations that support the Ministry of Defence's area of responsibility. Its tasks include ensuring the operation of IT services and conducting defensive and offensive
cyberwarfare. It consists of the
Headquarters Support and Signal Battalion, the Information and Communication Technology Center, and the Cyber Information Operations Center and Strategic Communications Center.
Cyber security The Military of Estonia has been introducing new 21st century based
cyber warfare and
defence formations in order to protect the vital
infrastructure and
e-infrastructure of Estonia. One of the leading state organizations in Estonian cyber defence is the
CERT (the Computer Emergency Response Team of Estonia), established in 2006, responsible for responding to 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 which they have been notified of by citizens or institutions in Estonia or abroad. On 25 June 2007, Estonian president
Toomas Hendrik Ilves met with the president of
United States,
George W. Bush. Among the topics discussed were the attacks on Estonian e-infrastructure. The attacks triggered a number of military organisations around the world to reconsider the importance of network security in modern military doctrine. On 14 June 2007, defence ministers of
NATO members held a meeting in
Brussels, issuing a joint
communiqué promising immediate action. The first public results were estimated to arrive by the autumn 2007. In the aftermath of the
Cyberattacks on Estonia in 2007, plans to combine network defence with Estonian military doctrine, and related
NATO plans to create a Cybernetic Defence Centre in Estonia, were nicknamed the "Tiger's Defence" (), in reference to
Tiigrihüpe.
Territorial Defence The Territorial Defence is a reserve force, which is based on the Estonian Defence League- a voluntary military organisation- which acts in the area of responsibility of the Ministry of Defence. It consists of four territorial districts. It is tasked with planning and conducting military operations with the units under its command. The Defence League possesses arms and engages in military exercises. The main goal of the Defence League is, on the basis of the citizens' free will and initiative, to enhance the readiness of the nation to defend its independence and constitutional order, including in the event of military threat. It plays an important role in supporting the civil structures. Its members aid in putting out wildfires, volunteer as assistant police members, and ensure safety at various public events. Units, consisting of voluntary members of the Defence League, also participate in international peace support operations such as in the
Balkan states. The Defence League and its affiliated organizations have positive relations with partner organizations in the
Nordic countries, the
United States, and the
United Kingdom. ==Personnel==