Estonian Division
| Estonian Division | |
|---|---|
| Eesti diviis | |
 | |
| Active | 2022–present |
| Country |  Estonia |
| Branch |  Estonian Land Forces |
| Size | Division |
| Part of | _Corps.svg){kind=small} I. German/Netherlands Corps (NATO) |
| Headquarters location | Tallinn |
| Website | mil.ee |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | MG Indrek Sirel |
| Command Sergeant Major | SM Helari Pilve |
| Notable commanders | Veiko-Vello Palm |
The Estonian Division is the main combat unit of the Estonian Land Forces. The division was established in December 2022 and commands the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigades as well as an artillery battalion and support units.
History
[edit]An agreement to establish the division was an outcome of the June 2022 Madrid summit.[1] It was formed in December 2022.[2] Major-General Veiko-Vello Palm was appointed to command the division in January 2023.[3]
The Estonian Division is responsible for the defence of the entire country.[1] It can also be assigned to NATO, and forms part of NATO's I. German/Netherlands Corps.[4]
Major-General Palm retired in March 2024.[5] Major-General Indrek Sirel became the new commander of the Estonian Division on 1 August 2024.[6]
Organization
[edit]
As of April 2026, the Estonian Division comprised:
Estonian Division, in Tallinn[7]
Headquarters and Signal Battalion, in Tallinn[8]
Artillery Regiment, in Tapa[9]- ISTAR Battalion, in Tallinn[10]
Logistics Battalion, in Paldiski[11]
1st Infantry Brigade, in Tapa[12]
- Headquarters and Signal Company, in Tapa
Scouts Battalion, in Tapa, professional rapid reaction unit armed with CV-90s
Kalev Infantry Battalion, in Jõhvi
Viru Infantry Battalion, in Jõhvi- Artillery Battalion, in Tapa
Air Defense Battalion, in Tapa
Engineer Battalion, in Tapa
Combat Service Support Battalion, in Tapa
Anti-Tank Company, in Jõhvi
2nd Infantry Brigade, in Luunja[13]
Headquarters and Signal Company, in Võru
Kuperjanov Infantry Battalion, in Võru- 22nd Infantry Battalion (Reserve)
- 23rd Infantry Battalion (Reserve)
Artillery Battalion (Reserve)- Air Defense Battalion (Reserve)
- Engineer Battalion (Reserve)
Combat Service Support Battalion, in Võru- Anti-Tank Company (Reserve)
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British Army forces stationed in Estonia support the Estonian Division. A British brigade is held at high readiness to deploy to Estonia. During deployments the brigade would form part of the Estonian Division.[14]
List of commanders
[edit]- Major General Veiko-Vello Palm 2023–2024
- Major General Indrek Sirel 2024–present
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Estonian government establishes Defense Forces division under NATO". ERR News. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ↑ "Estonia transfers its newly established Division to Multinational Corps Northeast". Multinational Corps Northeast. 27 April 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ↑ "Maj. Gen. Veiko-Vello Palm appointed Estonian division commander". ERR. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ↑ "Multinational Corps Northeast takes on a more focused mission". 2026-06-23.
- ↑ "Estonian Division commander to retire from active service in March". ERR. 29 February 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ↑ "EDF announces new division commander". ERR. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ↑ "Estonian Division". Estonian Defense Forces. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "Headquarters and Signal Battalion". Estonian Defense Forces. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "Artillery Regiment". Estonian Defense Forces. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "ISTAR Battalion". Estonian Defense Forces. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "Logistics Battalion". Estonian Defense Forces. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "1st Infantry Brigade". Estonian Defense Forces. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "2nd Infantry Brigade". Estonian Defense Forces. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "Joint Statement by the Defence Ministers of the United Kingdom and Estonia". GOV.UK. 12 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.