The security situation in Europe has shifted significantly since the onset of hostilities in Ukraine. In response, NATO and its allies have enhanced their presence in the Baltic Sea region to ensure security, reinforce deterrence, and strengthen collective defence.
Allied battle group in Estonia
As a result of the changed security situation, in June of 2016 at the Warsaw Summit, the leaders of NATO’s 28 member countries decided to establish allied battlegroups in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.
The objective of the battlegroup established in Estonia is to demonstrate solidarity, bolster Estonia’s independent defence capabilities, deter Russia, and maintain peace. In essence, the battlegroup is prepared to stand alongside the Estonian Defence Forces and Defence League against Russian aggression, if necessary, to gain time until Allied Forces arrive.
The United Kingdom deployed its units to Estonia as the framework nation for the battlegroup, while France, Denmark, Belgium, and Iceland contributed as supporting nations.
Currently, units from the United Kingdom and France are serving in the NATO battlegroup, which is part of the 1st Infantry Brigade of the Estonian Division, with Iceland contributing in strategic communications.
Additionally, U.S. military personnel are serving in Tapa and Võru under a bilateral agreement between Estonia and the United States and as part of a rotational presence.
Declaration » (PDF)
In spring 2017, the NATO battlegroup, comprising about 1,200 military personnel, arrived in Estonia and began operating within the 1st Infantry Brigade of the Estonian Defence Forces, based in Tapa. The United Kingdom contributes over 800 military personnel, equipped with Challenger 2 tanks, Warrior infantry fighting vehicles, and AS90 self-propelled artillery. France’s contribution to the NATO battlegroup consists of an infantry company (approximately 250 military personnel), equipped with Serval armoured personnel carriers and AMX-10 RC reconnaissance vehicles.
NATO Baltic air-policing mission
To ensure continuous security within the Alliance’s airspace and as an expression of allied solidarity, NATO allies support those countries that lack air policing capabilities by deploying their air forces.
Since 2004, when Estonia joined NATO, air policing has been conducted over the three Baltic States. The aircraft safeguarding Baltic airspace are stationed at Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania and, since 2014, also at Ämari Air Base in Estonia, where enhanced air policing is conducted. As of March 2024, the Lielvarde Air Base in Latvia became the third base to host NATO air policing. Similarly to the joint air policing of the Baltic states, allies conduct air policing in Luxembourg, Slovenia, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Iceland.
NATO Command Element in Estonia
The role of the NATO Command Element (NATO Force Integration Unit) is to support the reception, support, and conduct of NATO forces and exercises on Estonian territory. The tasks for the NATO Force Integration Unit are assigned by NATO’s Joint Force Command in Brunssum.
The Command Element ensures that in the event of a crisis NATO forces can rapidly deploy to Estonia. It also helps coordinate the presence of allied forces currently stationed in Estonia and harmonizes various defence plans.
Based in Tallinn, the command includes not only Estonian military personnel but also allies from the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Hungary.
As of August 10, 2022, the NATO Command Element is led by Navy Captain Peeter Ivask.
NATO Cooperative Defence Centre of Excellence
The NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) in Tallinn is a NATO-accredited international centre of expertise, think tank, and training institution. Established in 2008, the centre has become a significant source of expertise in the field of cyber defence for both NATO and its member states.
As an independent international organization, the NATO Cyber Defence Centre focuses on applied research, analysis, information sharing, and providing training and exercises in the cyber defence domain.
The centre organizes Locked Shields, the world’s largest annual international cyber defence exercise. Additionally, the centre’s annual conference CyCon brings over 500 experts from around the world to Tallinn each spring, representing governments, armed forces, private companies, universities, and more.
Liitlasüksused on Eestis
2014 kevadel muutus Ämari lennubaas liitlaste saabumisega NATO Balti õhuturbebaasiks.
Ämaris paiknevad pidevalt liitlaste hävitajad, mis on valmis kaitsma Eesti õhuruumi.
NATO reageerimiskiirust tõstetakse
Walesi tippkohtumisel võtsid NATO liikmed vastu valmiduse tegevuskava.
Tegevuskava näeb ette järgmised meetmed NATO heidutushoiaku tugevdamiseks:
- Luuakse brigaadisuurune ülikiire reageerimisüksus, mis suudab lühikese ajaga reageerida mistahes kriisile.
- NATO idapiiri riikidesse eelpaigutatakse vajalik relvastus ja varustus.
- Kuude riiki (sh Eestisse) luuakse NATO juhtimiselement, et kohandada NATO juhtimisstruktuuri uuele julgeolekuolukorrale.
Investeeringud liitlaste kohalolekusse
Liitlaste kohalolek on Eestile tähtis ja valitsus teeb selleks lisainvesteeringuid.
Valitsus on eraldanud 40 miljonit eurot liitlastele vajaliku taristu rajamiseks järgneva viie aasta jooksul.
Selle eest rajatakse kasarmu, arendatakse kaitseväe keskpolügooni ning ehitatakse varustuse ja relvastuse eelpaigutuslaod.
Samuti rajatakse NATO juhtimiselemendi jaoks vajalik taristu.
Meie eesmärk on olla liitlastele hea võõrustaja.