Viron puolustuksen kehittämissuunnitelma vuosille 2009-2018 (englanniksi)

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http://www.kaitseministeerium.ee/riigikaitse2026/arengukava/eng/

National defence development plan
2017–2026


The national defence development plan – what is that?

  • REALISTIC DEVELOPMENT
    The military defence domain of the national defence development plan describes the realistic development objectives for Estonia’s military defence until the year 2026.
  • TEN-YEAR OBJECTIVES
    The achievement of military defence objectives set for ten year horizons will be achieved through the four-year development action plans, which sets forth the activities and resources. These also serve as input for the draft annual defence budget.
  • ORIGINS OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
    The roots of the current development plan – the third one – go back to 2008. Immediately after the military defence development plan for 2008-2017 was drafted, the recession started, along with the Russia-Georgia War in 2008. These two events forced the Government to make significant adjustments to the plans laid in 2008 in the course of preparing the national defence development plan for 2013-2022 (Estonian abbreviation: RKAK 2022).

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL DEFENCE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2013-2022

The approval of RKAK 2022 – the second ten-year development plan – took a clear direction toward developing combat-ready units that are manned, armed, equipped, trained, and maintained in the light of the resources realistically available during the planning period.

img-2-2.jpg


Amendments to the Defence Forces Organisation Act and the Military Service Act implemented all of the structural changes envisioned in RKAK 2022: cuts were made to the number of staffs, and new structures were introduced - Military Intelligence Centre, Support Command, Special Operations Command and the command system for the two brigades.
The structural reforms of RKAK 2022 were essentially completed by January 1 2016 when The National Defence Act was carried into effect.
MORE DETAILS…
Meanwhile

  • Resources were consolidated for development of two combat-capable infantry brigades to replace a former planned structure the size of five infantry brigades that were not fully manned or equipped.
  • The Defence League is responsible of developing territorial defence units, also the Territorial Defence Districts (maakaitseringkond) have been established in order to organize defence in specific regions.
image-3-3.jpg

  • The 1st Infantry Brigade has become a combat-ready unit – as attested to by the experience of Exercise SIIL 2015 and other readiness exercises.

  • Within the 1st Infantry Brigade, the Scouts Battalion is being armed with Infantry Fighting Vehicles CV9035, the other infantry battalions will operate with Armoured Personnel Carriers.
  • Anti-tank units will be armed with modern anti-tank missile systems.

  • The development of the 2nd Infantry Brigade has started earlier than planned due to the general threat assessment.
image-4-4.jpg


  • The Navy continues to develop mine counter-measure capabilities.
  • The Air Force has developed Ämari Air Base to be capable to host the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission, and other day-to-day operations. NATO has also contributed to development of the base.
image-5-5.jpg



The experience gained from implementation of RKAK 2022 supports the conclusion that the military defence plans laid in 2013 have proved realistic in terms of resources.

NATIONAL DEFENCE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2017-2026

Similarly to the drafting of RKAK 2022, the current national defence development plan for
2017-2026 (RKAK 2026) strictly observes the principle that during the lifecycle, capabilities in development have to be in compliance with the resources made available for Estonian military defence.
OBJECTIVES
OPTIMAL PERSONNEL EXPENSES
To implement military defence development objectives, possibilities for saving on costs of support activities were explored. As a result, a cap has been established on the percentage of costs for personnel in the Ministry of Defence’s jurisdiction – by 2026, the payroll expenses in the area of administration of the ministry may not exceed one-third of the defence budget. This is an exceptionally low figure for NATO member states.

image6-6.jpg


RAISING MILITARY READINESS
Ensuring readiness is central to the development plan in every sense – the top priority are procurements that yield the maximum military effect and ensure sufficient stockpiles of ammunition. By 2026, all units will be equipped in line with the requirements.
  1. The procurement of IFVs for the Scouts Battalion will be completed. The 1st Infantry Brigade will be armed with self-propelled artillery. The 2nd Infantry Brigade will have an additional artillery battalion equipped with 122mm howitzers and an additional light infantry battalion for increasing combat capability. Brigades’ short-range anti-air capability will be developed to the maximum.
  2. The anti-tank capability of manoeuvre units will be further improved and the light weapon systems will be replaced with new ones throughout the structure.
  3. Brigades’ reconnaissance units will be equipped with modern UAVs.

    The modernization of the Navy’s minehunters will be completed.
DEVELOPMENT OF TERRITORIAL DEFENCE
The development of territorial defence will continue. In recent years, the number of members of the Defence League has been in dynamic growth and the territorial defence units prepared by the Defence League have become a militarily significant part of the rapid response structure. The development plan envisions the establishment of ten additional light infantry companies for territorial defence.

INCREASING THE RESPONSE CAPABILITY OF THE DEFENCE FORCES
As a result of the changes implemented in the development plan, the Defence Forces response capability will increase and the size of the rapid reaction structure will increase from the current 21,000 to over 24,400.

image-7-7.jpg


DEVELOPMENT OF A RESERVE ARMY
A national defence model based on a reserve force has proven itself. This is underscored by the results of the exercise SIIL 2015, the longstanding experience of neighbouring Finland, and Lithuania’s decision to reinstate a reserve and conscription based military defence model after briefly discontinuing conscription.
The forecast for the ageing of the population does not mean the model is any less vital, but will require engagement with the population to be diversified across gender lines, by modernizing military training and – to avoid marginalization of conscription –through increasing the percentage of those who have completed compulsory military service.
image8-8.jpg


  1. The number of conscripts will increase from 3,200 to 4,000 by 2026.
  2. The possibilities for women to take part in conscription service and active duty will be widened.
  3. Awareness among youth concerning the possibilities to contribute to national defence will be increased.


ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CYBER COMMAND
At the NATO Warsaw summit, a historic decision was made: the cyberspace was declared a separate military domain. The decision was occasioned by the growing importance of electronic warfare and cyber operations in military conflicts. Based on both the technological advances in warfare and in order to maintain Estonia’s leader position in cyber field, a decision of establishing the Cyber Command of the Estonian Defence Forces was made. The Command’s mission is to defend Estonian and Allies’ information systems from influence operations conducted by an adversary and to be prepared to carry out active cyber defence operations. For this purpose, the information technology competence in the Ministry of Defence’s jurisdiction will be consolidated and additional resources will be allocated to the cyber sphere.

PRIORITISING THE COLLECTIVE DEFENCE
The principle of collective defence enshrined in the North Atlantic Treaty is taken into consideration in planning military defence. NATO’s military presence in the Baltic region has grown and Estonia hosts an allied battalion battle group as of summer 2017. Estonia ensures sufficient host nation support for allied units deployed here.

image9-9.jpg

Estonia’s consistent commitment to development of military defence and Allies’ readiness to spend noteworthy resources for strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence posture in the region give assurance that in the changing world, Estonia’s military security rests strongly on two pillars: a well-designed independent defence capability and trustworthy collective defence.

SPENDING

  • The precondition for resource planning is that defence spending should remain at a minimum of two per cent of GDP. The direct infrastructure and maintenance costs related to hosting NATO units are additional to that 2%.
  • The amount of defence spending is based on the economic forecast published by the Ministry of Finance. The development plan was prepared based on the economic forecast of spring 2016.
  • The majority of the spending in the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defence is aimed at equipping units, salaries for active duty personnel, and organizing conscription. Other expenses are kept under strict control.

Suomeksi tärkeimmät asiat tiivistäen:

Joukkorakenteen osalta keskitetään paukut kahden oikeasti varustetun ja miehitetyn prikaatin kehittämiseen entisen viiden vain osittain varustetun ja miehitetyn prikaatin sijaan. 2. Jalkaväkiprikaati saa yhden uuden kevyen jalkaväkipataljoonan ja yhden uuden patteriston. Kaitseliiton alaisuuteen aluepuolustusjoukkoihin luodaan 10 uutta komppaniaa. Valmiusjoukkojen määrä nostetaan 21 000 miehestä yli 24 400 mieheen. Lisäksi esikuntia yhdistetään ja karsitaan.

Varusmiespalveluksen osalta vuosittain koulutettavien varusmiesten määrä nostetaan 3200 --> 4000 ja naisten mahdollisuuksia osallistua parannetaan. Lisäksi tiedotetaan nuoria kansalliseen puolustukseen osallistumisen mahdollisuuksista.

Rahankäytön osalta mainittakoon, että henkilöstömenoille on asetettu yläraja kolmannekseen puolustusbudjetista. Aika edistyksellistä!

Kalustohankintojen osalta, nyt pääsemme tähän aiheista mielenkiintoisimpaan, mainitaan (osin vanhan kertauksena) seuraavat:

1. Scouts-pataljoonan IFV-hankinta suoritetaan loppuun. (Viitannee käyttöönottoon ja Norjasta ostettujen käytettyjen alustojen muokkaamiseen tukiajoneuvoiksi?)

2. 1. Jalkaväkiprikaati saa itseliikkuvaa tykistöä. (K9?)

3. 2. Jalkaväkiprikaati saa uuden patteriston 122 mm haupitseilla. (Suomesta ostetun D-30 kaluston uudelleenorganisointi?)

4. Prikaatien lähi-ilmatorjunta kehitetään maksimiin. (Mitä lie tarkoittanee? Mistralien lisähankintaa vai Sergeiden päivittämistä, jopa uuden järjestelmän hankintaa?)

5. Prikaatien tiedusteluosat varustetaan moderneilla UAV:eilla.

6. Liikkuvaan sodankäyntiin soveltuvien yksiköiden ("manoeuvre units") panssarintorjuntaa parannetaan entisestään ja kevyet asejärjestelmät korvataan uusilla läpi joukkorakenteen. (Wikipediassa Virolle on listattu melkoinen määrä erityyppisiä pst-aseita: kertasingoista C90-CR, singoista B-300 ja Carl Gustav sekä ohjuksista Milan 2, Javelin ja MAPATS. Mitä lie tulossa? Uusi kertasinko? NLAW? Jotakin muuta?)

7. Laivaston miinantorjunta-alusten modernisaatio suoritetaan loppuun.
 
Tarkennettua suunnitelmaa vuosille 2020-2023. Asevoimien keskipalkka on jatkossa 30 prosenttia yli keskivertopalkansaajan. Merivoimat saa kaksi uutta venettä ja liikuteltavia merivalvontatutkia.


Ministry of Defence approves 2020-2023 development plan
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Conscripts testing antitank missiles. Photo is illustrative.
Conscripts testing antitank missiles. Photo is illustrative. Source: Ardi Hallismaa
The Ministry of Defence has approved its development plan for the 2020-2023 period, which calls for investing in the Estonian Defence Forces' (EDF) command, communication and combat support capabilities.

The new development plan aims to improve the EDF's command and communication capabilities, as well as its combat support capability, and provide the necessary equipment for the Cyber Command that began work in the area of government of the Ministry of Defence in August, spokespeople for the ministry said.
Investments in equipment are also to continue. For example, procurements for night vision equipment as well as bulletproof and splinterproof vests are to be initiated. In addition to firearms and machine guns, anti-tank weapons will also be replaced, and the plan also includes investments in munitions.
Minister of Defence Jüri Luik (Pro Patria) said that the personnel of the EDF are the main focus of the new development plan.
In 2018, the ministry made a decision with the commander of the defence forces to increase the wage level for active-duty personnel to exceed the Estonian average wage by 30%, the minister said.

Kusti Salm appointed director of Centre for Defence Investment
The volunteer Estonian Defence League (Kaitseliit) also has an important place in the plan approved this week. Support allocated to the Kaitseliit is to increase to €43 million per year, in addition to investments to be made in the equipment of Kaitseliit-based territorial defence units.
All purchased howitzers are expected to have arrived in Estonia by 2023, by which time the procurement of long-range antitank systems is also to be completed.
The Estonian Air Force is to receive in 2019 transport aircraft M-28, the Estonian Navy is to obtain two new vessels and mobile maritime surveillance radars in order to ensure the survivability of maritime surveillance in wartime.
The development plan for the Ministry of Defence's area of governance for 2020-2023 describes the development objectives of military defence, which are drawn up on the basis of the long-term national defence development plan for 2017-2026, the military advice of the Commander of the EDF as well as NATO capability-building goals.

Editor: Aili Vahtla
estonian defence forces


Estonian Ministry of Defense approves development plan for 2020-2023

  • 2019-02-02
  • BNS/TBT Staff

Photo: Spc. Joshua Leonard
Photo: Spc. Joshua Leonard
TALLINN - The Estonian Ministry of Defense has approved the development plan for 2020-2023, which calls for investing in Estonian defense forces' command, communication and combat support capabilities.
The new development plan aims to improve the command and communication capabilities of the defense forces, as well as its combat support capability and provide the necessary equipment for the cyber command that started work in the area of government of the Ministry of Defense in August, spokespeople for the ministry said.
Investments in equipment are to continue, for instance, procurement of night vision equipment as well as bulletproof and splinterproof vests are to be initiated. In addition to firearms and machine guns, anti-tank weapons will also be replaced. The plan also includes investments in munitions.
Minister of Defense Juri Luik said that the personnel of the defense forces are the main focus of the new development plan.
In 2018, we made a decision with the commander of the defense forces to increase the wage level for active-duty personnel to exceed the Estonian average wage by 30 percent, the minister said.
The Kaitseliit (Defense League) volunteer corps also have an important place in the plan. The support allocated to Kaitseliit is to increase to 43 million euros per year, in addition to investments to the equipment of territorial defense units based on Kaitseliit.
By 2023, all purchased howitzers are estimated to have arrived in Estonia. The procurement of long-range antitank systems is also to be completed by that time.
The Estonian Air Force is to receive in 2019 transport aircraft M-28, the Navy is to obtain two new boats and mobile maritime surveillance radars in order to ensure the survivability of maritime surveillance in war time.
The development plan for the Ministry of Defense's area of governance for 2020-2023 describes the development objectives of military defense, which are drawn up on the basis of the long-term national defense development plan for 2017-2026, military advice of the the commander of the defense forces as well as NATO capability building goals.
 
Kaitseliit.

Viron suojeluskuntajärjestön tuore komentaja korostaa suojeluskuntien roolia nykyaikaisessa sodankäynnissä.

– Suojeluskunta on ennen kaikkea maanpuolustuksesta vastaava organisaatio. Sen on katettava koko Viro ja kyettävä toteuttamaan mitä tahansa tehtävää missä tahansa, järjestön komentajana aloittanut prikaatikenraali Riho Ühtegi toteaa Postimees-lehden haastattelussa.

Tämä tarkoittaa hänen mukaansa sitä, että suojeluskuntien on kyettävä operoimaan niin rintamalla, omassa selustassa kuin vihollisen linjojen takana. Toiminnan yksiselitteisenä päämääränä on Viron tasavallan itsenäisyyden säilyttäminen ja taisteleminen sen puolesta. Mahdollisessa tulevaisuuden sodassa rintamaa perinteisessä mielessä olisi tuskin olemassa, vaan taistelua käytäisiin Ühtegin mukaan pitkälti ihmisten mielissä.

Maanpuolustus on valtion ydintehtävä

Ühtegi kehottaa suhtautumaan maanpuolustukseen luonnollisena ja arkipäiväisenä asiana, yhtenä jokaisen valtion keskeisimmistä tehtävistä.

– Kun tarkastelemme vaikka Sveitsiä – ilmiömäistä eurooppalaista yhteiskuntaa – kyse ei ole ylimilitarisoidusta tai sotaan valmistautuvasta valtiosta. He ovat yksinkertaisesti luoneet itselleen puolustuskykyä minkäänlaista hysteriaa siellä aiheuttamatta, Ühtegi sanoo.

Georgian sodan opetukset

Viron sotilasasiamiehenä Tbilisissä pian vuoden 2008 sodan jälkeen palvellut Ühtegi arvioi Georgian sodan opettaneen, että poliitikkojen olisi pidettävä etäisyyttä sotatoimien johtamiseen.

– Päätöksiä tehtiin varsin korkealla tasolla. Käskyt tulivat ehkä suoraan presidentiltä, tai kun hän ei välillä johtanut toimintaa, sitä käsittääkseni johti Tbilisin kaupunginjohtaja tai joku muu. Poliitikot lyhyesti sanottuna sekaantuivat taistelujen johtamiseen, mitä todellakaan ei saisi tapahtua, Ühtegi toteaa.

Virolaiset muistavat hyvin Ühtegin aiemman toteamuksen, jonka mukaan venäläiset saattaisivat kenties edetä kahdessa päivässä Tallinnaan, mutta Tallinnassa he kuolisivat ja myös tietävät sen. Hän ei näe syytä hävetä lausuntoaan, mutta kiistää koskaan uskoneensa, että eteneminen kahdessa päivässä Tallinnaan olisi nykyoloissa mahdollista.

https://www.verkkouutiset.fi/jokaisen-pitaisi-kuulua-suojeluskuntaan/
 
Kuka määrää asekaapin paikan?

Viron suojeluskunta haluaa sotilasaseet koteihin
Niille, jotka ottavat aseensa kotiin, annamme asekaapin veloituksetta. Haluamme ehdottomasti, että suojeluskuntalainen säilyttää asettaan kotona, sillä siten luomme itsepuolustuskykyä. Tavoittelen nimenomaan kansallisen itsepuolustuskykymme merkittävää kohentamista, hän toteaa Viron yleisradioyhtiö ERR:lle antamassaan haastattelussa.

Lauantaina 101-vuotista historiaansa juhlistaneeseen Viron suojeluskuntajärjestöön kuuluu 16 000 jäsentä. Kun mukaan lasketaan myös naisten kodinturvajoukot sekä nuorisojärjestöjen jäsenet, kokonaisvahvuus nousee 26 000:een. https://www.verkkouutiset.fi/viron-suojeluskunta-haluaa-sotilasaseet-koteihin/
 
Verkkouutiset:
Viron sisäministeri: Natossa ongelmia, työstämme B-suunnitelmaa
SUVI HAUTANEN | 19.11.2019 | 15:51- päivitetty 19.11.2019 | 16:26
Mart Helmen mielestä Euroopan unioni on menettämässä otettaan.
Viron sisäministeri, Ekren puheenjohtaja Mart Helme sanoo, että Venäjä on aina uhka Virolle.

Hän kertoo suomalaistoimittajille, että Naton varaan turvallisuutensa nojannut Viro seuraa nyt hyvin tarkkaan, mitä Natossa tapahtuu.

– En halua sanoa, että (Ranskan presidentti Emmanuel) Macron puhuu sataprosenttisesti totta, että Nato on kuolemassa, mutta on selvää, että Natossa on ongelmia, Viron sisäministeri Mart Helme sanoi tänään tiistaina Politiikan toimittajat ry:n tapaamisessa Tallinnassa.

Helme kertoo, että Viron hallitus on eilen valmistautunut Naton joulukuun alussa Lontoossa pidettävään huippukokoukseen.

– Tulemme katsomaan, mitä siellä tulee tapahtumaan ja me olemme työskentelemässä suunnitelma B:n kanssa, Helme sanoi.
Helmen mukaan suunnitelma B ei koske vain Viroa, vaan myös muita Baltian maita. Helmeltä kysyttiin, voiko Suomi olla mukana B-suunnitelmassa.
– Suomi on aina siellä mukana. Koska jos se (Venäjä) puuttuu Viroon, se puuttuu myös Suomeen, Helme vastasi.
Helme sanoo luulevansa, että Suomea kiinnostaa, onko Suomenlahden toisella puolella riippumaton Viro vai Venäjän keisarikunta.

– Euroopan unioni on menettämässä otettaan. Emme voi laskea enää Euroopan unionin varaan jonkinlaisen turvallisuustakeena.

Helme totesi, että Macronilla voi olla unelmansa Euroopasta voimakeskuksena, mutta hänen mukaansa Eurooppa ei ole voimakeskus ja tulevaisuudessa se on sitä vielä vähemmän.

Kylmän sodan jälkeisen aikakauden loppu
Helme arvelee kuitenkin, että Macron liioitteli puhuessaan Naton kuolemasta, mutta Helmen mukaan virolaisia huolestuttavat Lähi-idän tapahtumat, Venäjän ja Turkin kumppanuus sekä ainoastaan Kiinasta puhuvien amerikkalaiset aikeet.
Helmen mukaan virolaiset aikovat selvittää diplomatian keinoin, mitä niin sanotut isot pojat aikovat – ei ainoastaan Yhdysvallat, vaan myös britit brexitin jälkeen.

– Mitä tapahtuu Saksassa? (Saksan liittokansleri Angela) Merkelinaikakausi on ohi. Miten paljon Saksan ulkopolitiikka muuttuu? Entä Ranskan, Helme listasi.
Helmen mukaan kukaan ei tiedä, mitä seuraavaksi tapahtuu ja siksi Virolla on oltava B-suunnitelma.

– Tämä on kylmän sodan jälkeisen aikakauden loppu, Helme totesi.
Helme uskoo, että Viro voi luottaa moneen Naton jäsenmaahan, mutta ei Natoon sellaisenaan.
 
Virolla voi olla mitä suunnitelmä tahansa mutta eri asia mitä meidän poliitikot siihen sanoo. Ja onko tämä vain Helmen sooloilua?
 
No nyt! Viro on koonnut englanninkielisen sivuston, joka kertoo maan puolustusvoimien kehityksestä uudelleenitsenäistymisestä aina tähän päivään saakka.


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New ministry website outlines military development post-independence
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13th infantry battalion in action in exercise Spring Storm 2020
13th infantry battalion in action in exercise Spring Storm 2020 Source: mil.ee
A new defense ministry website provides an overview of how Estonia's defense forces have developed since the restoration of independence, including moves towards making its prime two infantry brigades fully mechanized, artillery procurement, and the impacts, benefits and responsibilities of NATO membership.

Defense minister Jüri Luik (Isamaa) says Estonia's defense forces, which includes both the regular Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) and its reserves, and the volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit) consistently moving towards a fully-manned and truly combat-effective set-up, with mechanized ground units and personnel getting maximum protection.
"As of now, the 1st Infantry Brigade Scout Battalion's the Armored Infantry Battalion is equipped with the [Swedish-made] Combat Vehicle 90, whose firepower, mobility and protection are world-class," he said, via a ministry press release.
The new website, which is available in English here, also provides up-to-date information on training progress for both regular and reserve personnel, investment details and the EDF's contribution to international operations such as the French-led counter-terrorist and human trafficking Operation Barkhane, which sees an EDF platoon and other personnel based in Gao, Mali.
Society's view of Estonia's defense is also covered.
NATO contributions, duties
Estonia joined NATO over 16 years ago and has maintained its contribution to the required 2 percent of GDP – making it part of a group of nations which continues to rise and which also sees Estonia, while low by NATO standards in terms of nominal defense spending, at the high end of NATO states by expenditure on special defense equipment.
NATO's collective aspect is key in Estonia's defense, Luik said.
Data shows the Ministry of Defense invested a total of nearly €338 million in defense procurement, infrastructure, IT services, property management, outsourced catering and various economic expenses. 53 percent, or slightly more than half of the money was chanelled into the Estonian economy.
The U.K.-led NATO Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP), also featuring Danish, French and Belgian personnel at various times, arrived in Tapa in 2017 and is supported by domestic troops; the Baltic Air policing mission, currently patrolled by German Air Force planes, flies from Ämari and has been in existence since 2004.
Focus on mechanized infantry, anti-tank systems, artillery
One of the signature notes of an independent Estonia's armed forces has been its transformation from using conventional vehicles such as trucks, to proper armored tracked vehicles and trucks for transporting personnel, a move which really got underway from 2005, Luik says. This needs to be accompanied by adequate training facilities, which Luik says has also been boosted.
The 2017-2026 national defense development plan also aims to convert the 1st Infantry Brigade into a fully mechanized heavy infantry brigade, and the 2nd brigade into its combat capable, light infantry (but motorized) counterpart, as well as introducing 10 new light infantry companies and around 1,000 personnel.
818308h27d1t24.png
Number of Estonia's armored units 1998–2022 Source: Ministry of Defense
The diagram above shows the development of Estonia's military since the 1990s. (Mehhaniseeritud jalaväepataljon = Mechanized infantry battalion, Soomusjalaväepataljon = armored infantry battalion, Liikursuurtükipataljon = Self-propelled artillery battalion, Mehhaniseeritud jalaväekompanii = mechanized infantry company, Soomusjalaväekompanii = armored infantry company, tugevdatud kompanii = reinforced company).
The operation of the defense league will also be improved under the plan.
"Effective military training can only be ensured if the necessary armaments and equipment, training areas and infrastructure of sufficient size and number are available," Luik said, noting there are seven such training areas in Estonia now.
Other improved capabilities include the acquisition of Javelin, a U.S.-made anti-tank missile system, and the forthcoming [Israeli-built] EuroSpike anti-tank system, and 155mm howitzers, which have boosted the EDF's practical artillery range to 30 kilometers (from about half that) and will be further augmented with the completion of the South Korean-made K9 Kõu self-propelled guns, the first of which are already in country.
The website provides an overview of independent Estonia's defense capability and how it has grown since the 1990s in all areas, as well as support from the domestic defense industry, such as Milrem Robotics, and research and development.
Jüri Luik has seen four terms as defense minister, spanning almost the entire period following the restoration of independence, the current and previous term being consecutive stints under Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (Center). Before that he was defense minister under Mart Laar, twice (1993-1994 and 1999-2001).
The website, in English, is here.


DefMin launches website introducing Estonia's national defense development

  • 2020-09-14
  • BNS/TBT Staff

Photo: Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Photo: Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
TALLINN - The Estonian Ministry of Defense on Monday launched a new website introducing Estonia's national defense development since the restoration of independence.
The website maps out the development of Estonia's defense capability since 1990 until the present day, and covers a wide range of topics from training to procurement and infrastructure, spokespeople for the ministry said. Various metrics describing national defense development show both general development and the evolution of narrower fields, to illustrate the history and current state of military defense.
The metrics for measuring national defense development show how the training of active service personnel and conscripts is proceeding, the kinds of armaments or infrastructure being invested in, to what degree the Estonian defense forces are contributing to international operations, and what the society's overall will to defend the country is.
Minister of Defense Juri Luik said that Estonia's military capability, including the defense forces' firepower, along with the defense will have improved. The minister pointed out that improvement of defense capability has consistently been geared at having a fully manned and combat ready defense forces with mechanized ground units and troops defended to the greatest possible degree.
"The Scouts Battalion, the armored infantry battalion of the 1st Infantry Brigade, has been equipped with CV90 heavy infantry fighting vehicles with world class firepower, mobility and level of protection," Luik said.
Luik said that the procurement of infantry fighting vehicles has been one part of the development of the armored maneuvering capability of the defense forces of Estonia. Nearly 30 years ago, the defense forces began using standard trucks lacking any protection, which were gradually replaced in 2005 with armored personnel carriers and armored trucks.
"The anti-tank capability of Estonian defense forces has significantly increased with the acquisition of Javelin anti-tank missiles, and a procurement contract has also been signed for the purchasing of the long-range anti-tank system Eurospike," he added.
The minister pointed out that with the adoption of 155 mm howitzers, the maximum range of artillery increased from 15 kilometers to 24-30 kilometers. In the next stage of development of armored maneuvering capability and maximum range, the plan is to acquire South-Korean made self-propelled artillery K9 Thunder.
The National Defense Development Plan 2017-2026 foresees that by 2026 the 1st Infantry Brigade will have been developed into a mechanized infantry brigade and the 2nd Infantry Brigade will have been developed into a combat capable motorized light infantry brigade. The country's defense structure will also grow by more than 10 light infantry companies and a thousand combatants, and the upgrading of the Kaitseliit (Defense League) volunteer corps' infrastructure to ensure a high level of training for volunteers will continue.
 
Virolla voi olla mitä suunnitelmä tahansa mutta eri asia mitä meidän poliitikot siihen sanoo. Ja onko tämä vain Helmen sooloilua?

Tuskin. Kyllä nämä asiat ovat olleet pulpetilla jo pitkään. Aika suoraa tekstiä Viron sisäministeriltä niin EUn kuin Natonkin suuntaan. Tosin jollekin toiselle julkaisulle hän saattaisi muotoilla asiat toisin. ;)
 
Kannattaa tutustu lähemmin tähän kartanoherraan (Mart Helme) jotta tiedät minkälainen mies on.
 
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