Estonian Land Forces

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(Redirected from
Estonian Army
)

The Estonian Land Forces (Estonian: Maavägi), unofficially referred to as the Estonian Army, is the name of the unified ground forces among the Estonian Defense Forces where it has an offensive military formation role. It is currently the largest Estonian military branch, with an average size of approximately 6,000 soldiers, conscripts, and officers during peacetime.

The Maavägi development priorities are the capability to participate in missions outside the national territory and perform operations to protect the territory of Estonia, also in co-operation with the Allies. The Maavägi component of the operational structure consists of an infantry brigade and a homeland security structure. Deployable infantry battalion tactical group and some deployable CS, CSS units will developed in the Army structure in accordance with NATO Force Proposals requirements. The infantry brigade will be a training and support frame for deployable units. Homeland security structure units can carry out territorial military tasks and support civil structures.

The Land Forces are structured according to the principle of a reserve force, which means that the main part of the state's defence forces are units in a trained reserve. The reserve units are formed on the territorial principle, i.e. conscripts from one area are called up at one time to one unit and after service, they are sent to the reserve as one unit.

History

The 1st and 2nd Divisions were created during the

Scouts Single Infantry Battalion
was formed on 21 December 1918.

Eight 'Single Infantry Battalions' were formed on 21 November 1928. These battalions were created to train conscripts during peacetime. In wartime the battalion would reorganize itself into a regiment with a similar order of battle as the two initial reaction force regiments covering the eastern and southern borders. Each battalion's peacetime strength was a total 237 soldiers, in a regimental staff, a Signal Platoon, an Engineering Platoon, a Ski-Bicycle Platoon, a Building Platoon, and three infantry companies.

The wartime order of battle would have transformed the battalion into a regiment-sized unit with the same unit number. It would have included 3 infantry battalions, Signal Company, Engineering Company, Ski-Bicycle Company,

Cavalry Company, Building Company, Commandant Commando and a CB Commando
. In total of 3,153 men.

The 2nd Single Infantry Battalion was located at Tartu; the 3rd Single Infantry Battalion was located at Valga; the 4th at Jõhvi; the 5th at Rakvere; the 6th Single Infantry Battalion was located at Pärnu; the 8th Single Infantry Battalion at Valga; the 9th at Pärnu; and the 10th Single Infantry Battalion was located at Tallinn.

A reorganisation took place on 1 February 1940 and a fourth division was created. The 4th Division staff was based in

Soviet occupation of Estonia
.

On 17 August 1940, after Estonia occupation by the Soviets, the 22nd Territorial Rifle Corps of the Red Army was formed at Tallinn. It was created as a territorial Estonian body based on military units and institutions of the Estonian army. All soldiers and officers kept the Estonian army 1936-spec uniforms, on which were sewn Soviet insignia. The first commander of the 22nd Territorial Rifle Corps was a former major general of the Estonian army, Gustav Jonson, who was later arrested by the NKVD and shot. Initially, most of the corps' officer posts were occupied by former officers of the Estonian army. Still, by the middle of June 1941 – even before the German invasion of the Soviet Union – most of them were arrested and replaced by newcomers from the Soviet Red Army officers.

Many of the Estonian officers of the 22nd Territorial Rifle Corps body were arrested and died in 1941 and 1942 in camps in the Soviet Union; many were shot. The former commander of the 180th Rifle Division, 22nd Corps, Richard Tomberg, survived after dismissal only because from 1942 he was claimed by the Frunze Military Academy as a teacher. He was arrested in February 1944 (he was released from the camp and rehabilitated in 1956). Some officers of the 22nd Rifle Corps, among whom was Alfons Rebane, managed to escape from the authorities in the period between the dismissal of the army and the plan for their arrest. Someone managed to escape abroad, others came out of hiding only after the arrival of German troops in July and August 1941, some of them volunteered for the Estonian units that fought on the side of Nazi Germany, or to enlist in the Estonian organisations controlled by the German authorities.

The 22nd Territorial Rifle Corps was part of the 'operational army' during World War II from 22 June 1941 to 31 August 1941. On 22 June 1941 the corps headquarters was stationed in village of Rev.[check spelling]

Organization

Military units

Fire and maneuver team

The

Estonian Ground Force infantry units.[3]

It usually consists of two soldiers. The more experienced soldier leads a fire and maneuver team in the pair.

One fire and maneuver team is meant to operate on a battlefield along with other fire and maneuver teams on a landscale not greater than 20 x 50 metres. There are no logistical support elements in the structure of a fire and maneuver team.

Fireteam

A fireteam (pooljagu) is a small military unit led by a senior soldier that is subordinate to an infantry squad. A fire team is bigger than a fire and maneuver team (lahingpaar) but smaller than a squad (jagu). It is also one of the smallest military formation among the Estonian Ground Force infantry units.[4]

It usually consists of three to five soldiers, and may be further subdivided into

fire and maneuver teams. A fireteam is composed of two fire and maneuver teams of two soldiers each, as well as a fireteam leader (pooljao ülem; in Defence League salgapealik) who is usually a corporal (kapral).[5]

One fireteam is meant to operate on a battlefield along with others on a landscale not greater than 50 x 100 metres. There are no logistical support elements in the structure of a fireteam.

Squad

A squad (jagu) is a small military unit led by a

Estonian Ground Force infantry units.[3]

It usually consists six to ten soldiers, and may be further subdivided into fireteams. A squad is composed of two fireteams of five soldiers each, as well as a

assistant squad leader (jaoülema abi; in Defence League jaopealiku abi).[6]

One squad is meant to operate on a battlefield along with other squads on a landscale not greater than 100 x 200 metres. There are no logistical support elements in the structure of a squad. The formation transport is usually made up by one tactical transport vehicle such as Mercedes-Benz Unimog 435.[7]

Platoon

A

Estonian Ground Force infantry units.[4]

It usually consists thirty to fifty soldiers, and is further subdivided into squads. A platoon is composed of five squads of ten soldiers each, as well as a platoon leader (rühmaülem; in Defence League rühmapealik) who is usually a junior lieutenant (nooremleitnant). His second in command is known as a platoon sergeant (rühmaülema abi; in Defence League rühmapealiku abi).[5]

One platoon is meant to operate on a battlefield along with other platoons on a landscale not greater than 300 × 400 metres. There is no logistical support element in the structure of a platoon. The formation transport is usually made up by three to five tactical transport vehicles such as Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG 435.[7]

Company

A

Estonian Ground Force infantry units.[3]

It usually consists 180 to 250 soldiers, and is further subdivided into platoons. A company is composed of five platoons of thirty to fifty soldiers each, as well as a company leader (kompaniiülem) who is usually a captain (kapten). His second in command is lieutenant as an assistant of the battalion (kompaniiülema abi).[6]

One company is meant to operate on a battlefield along with other companies on a landscale not greater than 500 x 500 metres. There is a logistical support element in a company's structure based on a reserve platoon. The formation transport is usually made up by twenty tactical transport vehicles such as Mercedes-Benz Unimog 435.[7]

Battalion

A

Estonian Ground Force infantry units.[4]

It usually consists of 900 to 1,250 soldiers, and is further subdivided into companies. A battalion is composed of five companies of 180 to 250 soldiers each, as well as a

company leader (kompaniiülem) who is usually a lieutenant colonel (kolonelleitnant). His second in command is a colonel as an assistant of the battalion (pataljoniülema abi).[5]

One battalion is meant to operate on a battlefield along with other battalion on a landscale not greater than 1500 x 3000 metres. There is a logistical support element in a battalion's structure based on a reserve company. The formation transport is usually made up by 200 tactical transport vehicles such as Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG 435.[7]

Regional unit

A

Estonian Defense League infantry units.[3]

A malev is usually a sub-component of a division, a larger unit consisting of two or more malevs; however, some brigades are classified as a separate brigade and operate independently from the traditional division structure. A malev's commanding officer is commonly a major or colonel.[6]

A modern malev is typically composed of three to five companies or battalions, depending on the area and available manpower of a given county. Each malev can operate independently on a battlefield encompassing an area of 10 km × 15 km.

Division

A division (diviis) is a large military unit led by a general that is subordinate to a corps (korpus). The division is bigger than a brigade (brigaad) but smaller than a corps.[4]

It usually consists of 20,000 to 35,000 soldiers, and is further subdivided into brigades. A division is composed of two to four brigades 5,000 to 8,750 soldiers each, as well as a division leader (diviisiiülem) who is usually a major general (kindralmajor). His second in command is a brigadier general (brigaadikindral) as an assistant of the division (diviisiülema abi).[5]

One division is meant to operate on a battlefield along with other divisions on a front which covers more than two counties. There is a logistical support element in a division's structure based on a reserve brigade. The formation transport is usually made up by 5,000 to 7,000 tactical transport vehicles such as

Mercedes-Benz Unimog 435.[7]

Peacetime organization

See also:
Estonian Defense League
class=notpageimage|
Estonian military units and bases
Source: Jane's World Armies Issue 23 – 2008
Tapa Garrison: is also for the HQ Northeastern Defense District and fields the 1st Artillery, Air Defense, and Engineer Battalions.
Note 2: Tallinn is HQ Northern Defense District, HQ Estonian Navy, and garrison for the Guard Battalion.
Estonian Division organization as of January 2024

The two brigades are not fully manned in peacetime. The only units fully manned at all times are the two brigade commands, the Scouts Battalion and the EOD/Demining Service. The 2nd Infantry Brigade was activated on 1 August 2014. The brigade will continue to activate further units to reach full strength by 2022 at the latest. In parallel, the 1st Infantry Brigade will become a mechanized brigade with tracked infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled artillery. In wartime, the two brigades will be brought to full strength with reserve soldiers. Besides the two Land Force brigades the Estonian Defense Forces also field a large number of smaller light infantry units of the Estonian Defense League, which are tasked with local defense, respectively stay-behind operations.

Personnel

Land Forces has more than 2,700 full time soldiers and 3,100 conscripts. There were only 15 women in 2013 in conscript service. Previously there was one fully professional infantry battalion – (Scouts Battalion) in the Land Forces. However, since 2017, the unit also trains conscripts in mechanized infantry role.[11]

Training

Estonian Land Forces organizes Spring Storm (Kevadtorm) exercises every year. 9,000 soldiers participated in this exercise in 2017.

Ranks

Main article:
Estonian military ranks and insignia
NATO code OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1 OF(D) Student officer
 Estonian Land Forces[12]
Kindral Kindralleitnant Kindralmajor Brigaadikindral Kolonel Kolonelleitnant Major Kapten Leitnant Nooremleitnant Lipnik
Estonian:
Lühend 		kin kin-ltn kin-mjr brig-kin kol kol-ltn mjr kpt ltn n-ltn lpn

Ranks 		General
Lieutenant General
Major General
Brigadier General
 		Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
 		Major
Captain
 		First Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
 		Ensign
NATO rank scale OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
 Estonian Land Forces[12]
Ülemveebel Staabiveebel Vanemveebel Veebel Nooremveebel Vanemseersant Seersant Nooremseersant Kapral Reamees
Estonian:
Lühend 		ü-vbl st-vbl v-vbl vbl n-vbl v-srs srs n-srs kpr rms

Ranks 		Sergeant Major of Land Forces
Sergeant Major
Master Sergeant
Sergeant First Class
Staff Sergeant
 		Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant Corporal Private

Equipment

Main article: List of equipment of the Estonian Defence Forces

Weapons

Although the defense force employs various individual weapons to provide light firepower at short ranges, the standard weapons used by the ground force are the domestically upgraded variants of the 7.62mm

HK-79N,[23]
are also used.

The defense force also employs various crew-served weapons to provide medium and heavy firepower at ranges exceeding that of individual weapons. The 7.62mm

FH-70 field howitzers.[25] However, in recent years, Estonia has started to procure increasing numbers of self-propelled artillery vehicles to provide fire support for its increasingly mechanized infantry, reducing the role of towed artillery. Estonia donated at least nine D-30s as well as an unspecified number of FH-70 howitzers to Ukraine as part of its military support to Ukraine's defence against the Russian invasion of 2022.[26] In 2023, Estonia announced that it would donate all its towed artillery pieces to Ukraine.[27] Estonia gave Ukraine 36 122mm D-30s and 24 155mm FH-70s.[28]

The ground force uses a variety of

Pvpj 1110 and M40-A1 recoilless rifles that are mounted on high-mobility utility vehicles.[25] The 115mm MILAN-2 with the night-firing ability and 148mm MAPATS laser-beam riding anti-tank guided missiles are the ground forces' main anti-tank weapon systems. The purchase of the 127mm FGM-148 Javelin fire-and-forget anti-tank missiles will increase the ground forces' anti-armor units capabilities.[29] The 90mm Mistral is an infrared homing surface-to-air missile,[30] which along with the 23mm ZU-23-2 twin-barreled anti-aircraft
cannons mounted on trucks make up the backbone of the defense forces' air defense.

Vehicles

The ground force currently does not operate any

Pasi 188 armored personnel carriers are the standard troop carrier vehicles of the ground forces. The Pasi XA-180's, which were acquired first, have also been used by the defense forces expeditionary units on peacekeeping operations in Central Asia and Africa.[33] In recent years BTR-80 amphibious armored personnel carriers have been used as training vehicles and are now being phased out.[34]

The Estonian MoD has signed contracts for the procurement of 36

MoD announced that Estonia, along with 12 other NATO members, plans to purchase Global Hawk drone to increase its military reconnaissance capabilities.[39]

The defense force's most common vehicles are the

Unimog 416, Unimog 435, DAF YA4440, and MB 250GD. There are also variety of different MAN and Sisu built military logistics vehicles, such as MAN 4520, 4620, 4640, KAT1, and Sisu E13TP
, in use of the ground force, which are capable of serving as a cargo/troop carrier, artillery tractors, weapons platform and ambulance, among other roles.

Uniforms

The

night vision device
.

Defense development plan

See also: Ministry of Defence (Estonia) § Military Defence Action Plan

What follows is a partial list of planned and ongoing equipment procurements for the Land Forces:

Small arms and light weapons
Armored vehicles
Self-propelled artillery
  • 36 K9 Thunders, of which 18 delivered by end of 2022 with the rest expected to arrive by 2026 at the latest.
Anti-tank systems
  • Spike
    ~ 18 LR launchers to be delivered in 2021.

References

  1. ^ "The Military Balance 2021"
  2. ^ "https://mil.ee/en/defence-forces/
  3. ^ a b c d "Kevadtorm 2008". Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2008. Estonian Defence Forces formations
  4. ^ a b c d "Kevadtorm 2008". Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2008. Estonian Defence Forces formations
  5. ^ a b c d "Kaitseliit". Archived from the original on 20 September 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2008. Eesti relvajõudude ametikohtade tunnused
  6. ^ a b c "Kaitseliit". Archived from the original on 20 September 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2008. Eesti relvajõudude ametikohtade tunnused
  7. ^ a b c d e "Transport vehicles of the Estonian Ground Forces". Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  8. ^ "Division". Estonian Defense Forces. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Luurepataljon". Estonian Defense Forces. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  10. ^ "2nd Infantry Brigade". Estonian Land Force. Estonian Defense Forces. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  11. ^ "Scoutspataljon alustab ajateenijatest soomusjalaväelaste koolitamist". mil.ee (in Estonian). Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  12. ^ a b "Sümboolika: Maaväe Auastmed". mil.ee (in Estonian). Estonian Defence Forces. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  13. ^ Military assault rifles Archived 23 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine. EDF military equipment
  14. ^ Cavegn, Dario (4 July 2017). "€75 million tender announced for new automatic firearms". Eesti Rahvusringhääling (Estonian Public Broadcasting). Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  15. ^ Jones, Bruce (5 July 2017). "Estonia announces small-arms tender". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  16. ^ Light arms of the Estonian Ground Force Archived 28 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine Journal "Kaitse Kodu", Vol. 6, 2009.
  17. ^ Military equipment of the Estonian Ground Force: individual and crew served weapons Archived 14 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Kaitseväe Võru Lahingukool, Sõduri Käsiraamat, Võru, 2013.
  18. ^ EDF weapons: light machine guns. EDF military equipment
  19. ^ EDF weapons: grenade launchers. EDF military equipment
  20. ^ EDF weapons: combat shotguns Archived 20 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine. EDF military equipment
  21. ^ EDF weapons: sniper rifles Archived 11 January 2019 at the Wayback Machine. EDF military equipment
  22. ^ EDF weapons: heavy sniper rifles Archived 19 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine. EDF military equipment
  23. ^ EDF weapons: grenade launcher modules Archived 19 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine. EDF military equipment
  24. ^ "Eesti saab USA-lt 80 uut miinipildujat" (in Estonian). Postimees.
  25. ^ a b c d e "Estonian Defence Forces equipment". United Nations. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  26. ^ Military Support to Ukraine, DefenseHere.com, 2022.
  27. ^ Estonia gives all of its 155 mm howitzers to Ukraine as part of record aid package, 23 January 2023
  28. ^ Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost (8 June 2023). "Tallinn's Tally: Estonia's Weapons Supplies To Ukraine". Oryx. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  29. ^ Estonia to Purchase Javelin Anti-Tank Missiles. Estonian Public Broadcasting, 2014
  30. ^ "Kaitseministeerium hankis Soomest õhutõrjerelvastust". Estonian MoD. Archived from the original on 10 December 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  31. ^ Eesti hakkab üles ehitama tankiväge Archived 13 January 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Forte: Delfi, 2010.
  32. ^ Defense Ministry Proposes to Purchase 44 Combat Vehicles, Estonian Public Broadcasting Service, 2014.
  33. ^ Kaitsevägi võtab Aafrika missioonile kaasa neli soomukit, Postimees, 2014.
  34. ^ Lääne maleva kaitseliitlane taastas vana soomuki, Postimees, 2014.
  35. ^ Estonia buys 12 more K9 Thunders, Estonian Public Broadcasting Service, 2023.
  36. ^ Military's New Development Plan Receives Government Approval, Estonian Public Broadcasting Service, 2013.
  37. ^ Estonia and the US sign HIMARS contract, Estonian Public Broadcasting Service, 2022.
  38. ^ "Eesti õhuruumis hakkavad lendama droonid Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine", Reporter, 2014.
  39. ^ Estonia plans to purchase Global Hawk drone to increase its military reconnaissance capabilities., Defence & Security News – Estonia (2014).
  40. ^ Kaitseväe varustus, Riigikogu, 2007.
  41. ^ "Galerii ja video: kaitsevägi näitas uusi automaate R20 Rahe" (in Estonian). ERR. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  42. ^ a b "Jüri Luik kinnitas arengukava, mille järgi saab Eesti palju uut relvastust" (in Estonian). Delfi. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  43. ^ "Konsortsium tahab Eestis soomukeid tootma hakata" (in Estonian). ERR. Retrieved 1 December 2020.

External links

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