BONJOUR L'ESTONIE

Estonian air force R44s get night vision upgrade

Estonia's ability to perform night-time search and rescue and surveillance activities has increased, following an upgrade to two of the nation's Robinson R44 light helicopters.

Conducted by US company REBTECH in collaboration with equipment supplier Night Flight Concepts, the work has introduced night vision imaging systems compatible with night vision goggles worn by Estonian air force pilots.

Estonia's air force has four R44s, as recorded by Flightglobal's HeliCAS database. The four-seat type represents the NATO air force's only rotary-wing capability.

Craig Hoyle

Is Georgia's homemade drone actually Estonian?

Georgia made a splash last week when it rolled out what it said was its first domestically produced drone aircraft. “No one will share this [pointing to the Georgian-made drone] with others; it’s ours," said President Mikheil Saakashvili, at its unveiling. "We no longer depend on others.”

But now it's emerged that the drone may not be quite as homegrown as was originally presented. A variety of observers have noticed a strong similarity between the Georgian drone and the Swan, a UAV produced by Estonian company ELI. (See here for some more photos of both.) Even the digital camouflage pattern on the ground control system (visible at about 0:41 of the video in the original post) seems to be the same pattern used by Estonian armed forces.

Irakli Aladashvili, the editor of a Georgian military magazine, says the drone does in fact appear to be a close relative of the Estonian. Writing in the newspaper Kviris Palitra (below translation from BBC Monitoring), he says:

Estonia to host 3 international military exercises in June

In June, Estonia will host three international military exercises focusing on improving cooperation between the participating forces – Saber Strike, BALTOPS, and Baltic Host. In total, the exercises will be attended by about a thousand allied soldiers, mostly from the United States.

Organized by the US Army Europe, Saber Strike will be held from June 11 to 22 in Estonia and Latvia. This year, Estonia will act as the host nation for the exercise, according to the acting head of the Defense Forces Operational Staff, Lt. Col. Rain Jano.

The tactical part of the exercise will be conducted at the Adazi training area in Latvia, while its command post will be located in Tapa and the participating US aircraft A-10 and KC-135 will be based at the Ämari Air Base in Estonia. Saber Strike will be attended by members of the defense forces from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the United States, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Poland, and Norway.

Estonian troops in Afghanistan fight successfully against IEDs

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan - The eleventh rotation of Estonian troops serving with the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan made an all-time best per rotation when they disposed 106 improvised explosive devices last year. However, the current, twelfth rotation is half way through their tour of duty and has already disposed 68 IEDs.

The success in disposing this amount of IEDs is a combined effort of the Estonian Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Team (IEDDT) and the Estonian combat engineers. These soldiers have a great responsibility as IEDs pose a serious threat to the Afghan people as well as to the Afghan National Security Forces and the coalition forces. Every disposed IED means saved lives.

Almost 200 disposed IEDs in nine months is the result of a well balanced cooperation between the Estonian IEDDT and the Estonian combat engineers serving in the Helmand province. The key to success lies in the flexible standard operating procedures of the Estonian troops and in their mobility.

Estonia to take part in NATO drones procurement tender

Thirteen NATO countries, including Estonia, are going to jointly buy unmanned reconnaissance aircraft manufactured in the United States.

The allied countries will spend about one billion euros on the purchase of Global Hawk drones from Northrop Grumman, an official of the alliance said on Wednesday. The drones will be located at the NATO base at Sigonella in Sicily and their use will cost 2 billion euros over 20 years, said the official who wished to remain unidentified.

The drones will be bought in order to fill the gap that became apparent in the Libyan air war. "Libya showed the importance of having that capability," he said. Mainly European countries bore the load of carrying out air raids against Libya, but to a large extent they depended on US drones that made it possible to identify and attack targets.

The buyers of the new drones are 13 NATO countries: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the United States. All the allied countries will be using the drones and will help bear the cost of their operation. France and Great Britain will contribute to the drones programme by their own reconnaissance aircraft.

NATO fighters to guard Baltic air space for an indefinite time period

The North Atlantic Council that convened in Brussels today decided to extend the air security operation of the Baltic States for an indefinite time period.

According to the decision, the fighters of the NATO member countries will defend the air space of the Baltic countries on a permanent basis and there is no final deadline of the operation. Similarly to the procedure that has been effective since 2004, the fighter planes securing the Baltic air space will continue to be stationed in the Baltic air force bases.

According to the Minister of Defence, Mart Laar, it is difficult to overemphasise NATO's decision that was made today. “Estonia has in cooperation with the allies achieved a major advancement in enhancing the security in the entire Baltic Sea region and in ensuring a believable discouragement,” said Minister of Defence Laar.

According to Mr Laar, today's decision means that Estonia would not need to develop, from scratch, an expensive and complex fighting air force capability. “Instead we can focus on the development of capabilities which are accomplishable for Estonia and essential for basic defence capability. However, for Estonian population NATO’s air security operation is a clear sign of the presence of NATO, “said Mr Laar.

Over 200 Estonian servicemen to participate in foreign missions in 2012

The Estonian Ministry of Defence submitted for approval draft resolutions of the parliament (Riigikogu) which propose that next year, on average, over 200 members of the Estonian Defence Forces will participate in international military operations.

According to the International Military Co-operation Act, the deployment of the Defence Forces in an international military operation is decided by the Riigikogu. The approval of the draft resolutions entered in the approval procedure today will require a majority in the parliament.

The largest foreign mission for the Estonian Defence Forces will continue to be participation in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, where, according to the draft resolution, 160-165 members of the Defence Forces will be serving on an on-going basis next year. Currently, Estonia is participating in the Afghanistan operation with an infantry company, logistical support element, fire support team, a counter-IED team and staff officers and NCO’s in Southern Afghanistan, and with a military police close protection team in Kabul.

According to the draft resolution, next year, Estonia would continue to participate in the EU counter-piracy operation Atalanta off the coast of Somalia with a Vessel Protection Detachment of up to 15 members. The main task of the detachment is to protect cargo vessels sailing near the Somali coast, especially the vessels of the World Food Programme, against pirate attacks.

Tuuli Linnus appointed as head of Estonian NATO and EU Department

As of this week the Director of NATO and European Union Department of the Estonian MoD is Tuuli Linnus, who worked in the same department as deputy director.

The Estonian MoD NATO and EU Department shapes the security and defence policy in strategic issues of NATO and European Union and coordinates the development of Estonian positions in these issues within the Estonian defence administration. The department also manages everyday work of the MoD officials sent to the Estonian representations at NATO and EU.

Tuuli Linnus was born on June 14, 1977. She has acquired Bachelor’s degree in French language and literarure in the University of Tartu and Bachelor’s degree in political study and Master’s degree in international relations in the University of Sorbonne. Linnus has also studied in several additional courses both in Estonia and abroad.

Linnus has worked as an adviser in the MoD Policy Planning Department since 2005 and as the head of the Defence Policy Planning Section since 2007. In 2009-2010 Linnus worked as an expert sent by the Ministry of Defence in the Directorate of Defence Policy and Planning at NATO Headquarters.

The former Director of NATO and EU Department Eerik Marmei continues his service in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

German military vehicles shipped to Estonia

A large consignment of utility vehicles and trucks from Germany will be used to supply the Estonian defense forces wartime units.

Most of the trucks that arrived in Estonia are Mercedes-Benz UNIMOGs, and the majority of the UNIMOGs are medical evacuation trucks. Mercedes-Benz 250 GD trucks make up another sizable lot.

A small quantity of Mercedes-Benz 609D medical evacuation buses and three MAN 4520 tactical trucks were also delivered. 

 

Altogether, the Defense Forces will be receiving over 400 different vehicles under agreement signed with Germany in the summer. 

 

The vehicles are near-new and in good condition and the procurement includes pre-delivery maintenance and repair in Germany. The value is over 4 million euros. Since 2004, when the program was launched, over 2,000 vehicles have been procured from Germany and the Netherlands. 

US-Nato plan to defend Baltics from Russia

The US and Nato have drawn up plans to defend the Baltic nations against Russia, latest US diplomatic cables disclosed by Wikileaks show.

The cables, published in the Guardian, reveal plans to expand an existing strategy to defend Poland to include Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Wikileaks is releasing hundreds of diplomatic cables, angering the US.

Meanwhile, a warrant for the arrest of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has reached UK authorities.

Mr Assange, who is believed to be in hiding somewhere in England, is preparing to talk to British police, his lawyer said.

Mr Assange is wanted for questioning in Sweden in connection with rape allegations which he denies.

The Swiss post office's bank, PostFinance, has also frozen his accounts.

The latest leaked documents show that in January this year, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton apparently signed a confidential cable saying allies in Nato had agreed to expand the contingency plan to defend Poland, to include the Baltic states.

The nine Nato divisions involved would be American, British, German and Polish, the Guardian says, citing information leaked to Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza.

The cables say the military plans should not be discussed publicly as it might lead to an unnecessary increase in Nato-Russia tensions.

Estonians welcome Nato plan for eastern Europe

1. (U) Pol Chief and DATT delivered reftel points on December 15 to Paul Teesalu, Director of the MFA's Security Policy Division, and to Sven Sakkov, MOD Undersecretary for Defense Policy, and Eerik Marmei, MOD Director of the NATO and ESDP Department.

2. (S) Teesalu welcomed the information and called it an "early Christmas present." Teesalu was pleased to see a clear plan to add the Baltic States to Eagle Guardian, and thought this the best option for easily including the Baltic region in contingency planning. Teesalu also fully agreed that all such discussion should be conducted out of the public eye, stating that Estonia is looking for, "solidarity, not visibility." The GOE has asked the Lithuanians to keep contingency planning discussions private as well.

3. (S) Sakkov likewise stated this information is good news, and is a major event for Estonia 5 B= years after joining NATO. He thanked the USG for its support on contingency planning. Sakkov however wondered about the Polish reaction. On the margins of the November 2008 NATO-Ukraine Commission meeting the Polish delegation told Sakkov that they were against including the Baltic states into Eagle Guardian as they did not want the Polish plan to be diluted or held hostage in case other allies opposed adding the Baltic states. Sakkov added he recently heard from Lithuanian counterparts that Poland has not softened its position.

British military surgeons visit Estonia

An association of British military surgeons held its annual meeting in Tallinn and met with medical personnel from the Estonian defense forces and reserve surgeons who are heading to Afghanistan next year.

On the visit from September 17-19, the UK surgeons briefed their Estonian counterparts on how the UK readies its medical staff for foreign operations, according to the Defense Forces public affairs office. The British surgeons also toured the University of Tartu and visited the Tartu University Hospital surgical unit. 

In a wartime situation, a surgeon can get more experience in one day than he does in a lifetime otherwise, said the leader of the Estonian surgeons, reserve major Tiit Meren, who served as surgeon at Camp Bastion in 2008. 

The team of Estonian surgeons heading to Afghanistan in the spring will be based at Camp Bastion hospital, which also provides treatment to the local population.

The President of the Republic of Estonia at the funeral of Junior Sergeant Herdis Sikka killed in Afghanistan

Dear friends, loved ones and brothers in arms of Herdis Sikka.

War has claimed the life of a young man.

Even the most carefully considered words would be of no consolation here.

But I want you to know this: Junior Sergeant Herdis Sikka fought for the right thing. He fought against evil and violence, for a safe, secure and successful Afghanistan, and more broadly for a more peaceful world. Herdis Sikka fought for Estonia’s security interests as a member of NATO, which is to say he fought in the interests of an alliance that is militarily strong, unified and successful in its operations.

Afghanistan – especially southern Afghanistan, where Estonian defence forces serve – is a dangerous location, extremely dangerous. If it were the opposite – a safe place – we would not be needed there. It would not be necessary for young men to make the courageous decision to quit their homes for the battlefield, nor would we need the support from the home front that makes it possible to deploy troops. Right now we need all of this badly.

Soldiers, I bow before your bravery.

I reaffirm to the members of the defence forces fighting in Afghanistan that you are not alone. Our allies from NATO and the UN are at your side, and Estonia’s support is at your back. Your homeland supports you.

Poland to end shift in NATO air policing mission in Baltic states

WARSAW - Polish pilots who patrolled the skies over Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia within the NATO Air Policing mission will conclude their mission on Wednesday, local media reported on Tuesday.

An official ceremony of the conclusion of the mission will take place at the Lithuanian air base in Shavle on Wednesday.

The Poles started their shift on April 30 when they took over the duties from French airmen. This was the third Air Policing mission for Poland. The contingent was formed by some 100 persons and four MiG-29 aircraft.

NATO introduced Air Policing in 2004 as an airspace safety measure for the Baltic states, which do not have combat aircraft.

Mission's tasks included carrying out of round-the-clock patrols of Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian air space and providing emergency aid for civilian and military aircraft in the region.

Poland previously took part in the Air Policing project in 2006 and 2008.

Tang Danlu

Estonian soldier killed in southern Afghanistan after insurgent ambush

Estonia's Defence Ministry says a soldier has died in southern Afghanistan after insurgents ambushed his unit.

The ministry says that Sgt. Herdis Sikka was killed Monday in an explosion while the unit was on a routine patrol in Helmand province.

The 20-year-old Sikka served as the driver of his unit's armoured personnel carrier.

Officials said Tuesday that no other soldiers were wounded in the attack.

The death brought the total of Estonian soldiers killed in Afghanistan to eight. The Baltic country has some 160 soldiers in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led force.

Copyright © 2010 The Canadian Press

Estonia buys APCs in largest-ever deal

TALLINN - Estonia on Aug. 26 announced its largest-ever military vehicle deal, buying more than 80 armored personnel carriers from fellow NATO member the Netherlands.

"The Estonian defense forces will buy over 80 Sisu XA-188 armored personnel carriers from the Netherlands," defense ministry spokesman Peeter Kuimet told AFP.

"The deal doubles the number of armored vehicles in the Estonian defense forces and is the biggest armored vehicle deal ever made (by Estonia)," he added.

Some of the vehicles will be sent to Afghanistan, where 155 Estonian troops are deployed in NATO's International Security Assistance Force.

The Finnish-made carriers are a decade old. Estonia also bought 60 used models directly from neutral neighbor Finland in 2004.

International naval exercise "Baltic Bikini 2010" opened in Klaipeda

The international naval exercise"Baltic Bikini 2010" was opened in Klaipeda on July 26. More than 70 airborne personnel of the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian Air Forces take part in the training event, reports BC the press service of the National Defence Ministry of Lithuania.

During the exercise, aircrews will train to abandon an aircraft after ditching, and drill their skills of using rescue equipment.

In the active phase, aircrews will rely on their own strength and rescue equipment at hand to dive out of the cockpit of an imitation aircraft submerged two meters under water. The cockpit will be lowered from a ship following the pattern of ditching. After that participants will use rescue equipment to stay on water surface for around an hour waiting for the rescue helicopter.

"Baltic Bikini" is organised by the Lithuanian Air Force, logistics of the exercise will be conducted by P-14 "Aukstaitis" of the Lithuanian Naval Force. Mi-8 on standby in the 1st Search and Rescue Post of Nemirseta will also participate in the exercise. Personnel of each Baltic State prepared for the exercise in their home countries. In the end of June airborne personnel of the Lithuanian Air Force's Airbase trained in Lake Gudeliai near Siauliai City.

Estonia spends more on national defense than Latvia or Lithuania

From among the three Baltic States, Estonia spends the largest amounts of money on national defense, writes LETA/Postimees Online. Estonia would be able to mobilize the biggest army among the Baltic States during the times. Lithuania, on the other hand, has the most-developed air force.

Researcher of the International Centre of Defense Studies Tomas Jermalavicius explained the differences with Estonia and Lithuania having drawn different conclusions from the events of the year 1939. Lithuania had beforehand spent immense amounts of money on national defense, which had no impact on the maintaining of independence and hence Lithuanians have perceived the events as a military failure. Estonians, on the other hand, view the 1939 events as a political failure and hence put much more confidence in the military capacity.

"It is simple – the Estonian society is prepared to pay for national defense," said Jermalavicius.

Although it spends more on national defense than its Baltic neighbors, it cannot be stated that Estonia spends a lot on this area – the fact is rather that Latvia and Lithuania spend extraordinarily little on national defence, being among the lowest-spending countries among the NATO Member States.

Unlike Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have also abandoned the reserve army system, maintaining professional armies and the voluntary military organizations.

Juhan Tere

US Marines storm Estonian beachhead in exercise

LOKSA - United States Marines are conducting their first amphibious landing exercise in a territory that was once part of the Soviet Union.

In Tuesday's joint military exercise some 130 combat-ready marines, along with Estonian troops, disembarked from the transport vessel USS Gunston Hall to occupy a beach near the town of Loksa on Estonia's eastern coast.

The head of the U.S. Marine Corps in Europe said it was the first time Marines had carried out such an amphibious landing on the Baltic Sea. It took place just 140 kilometers (90 miles) from the Russian border.

Estonian Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo said the drill represented a pledge from the United States and other NATO allies to provide security for Estonia and its Baltic neighbors, Latvia and Lithuania.

Airmen participate in Unified Engagement 2010

TALLINN - U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials joined representatives from seven other countries here to participate in Unified Engagement 2010, which started June 7 and continues through June 11.

The Unified Engagement seminar is the fourth Building Partnership Seminar USAFE officials have conducted with European partners as a transformation war game to explore future combined warfighting concepts and capabilities.

The U.S. delegation led by Gen. Roger A. Brady, the USAFE commander, is working with counterparts from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden to strengthen relationships, and improve interoperability and future cooperation.

"These meetings have been good for us and our allies and have proven productive and valuable," General Brady said. "These sessions serve as effective discussions and are opportunities to share ideas, and for military professionals, particularly air forces, to share their perspectives."

General Brady said the relationships established and the work accomplished at the seminar will allow everyone to come together quickly in crisis and effectively face the challenge.

"Because of training seminars like Unified Engagement, the U.S. Air Force and our partners worldwide are better prepared for future operational challenges," the general said. "Estonia is a great NATO partner and they are graciously hosting this meeting."