Estonian Division Explained

Unit Name:	Estonian Division
Dates:	December 2022 - current
Country:	Estonia
Branch:	Estonian Land Forces
Specialization:	-->
Garrison:	Tallinn
Garrison Label:	Headquarters location
Colours:	-->
Colours Label:	-->
Website:	https://mil.ee/en/landforces/estonian-division/
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

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. It can also be assigned to NATO, and forms part of NATO's Multinational Corps Northeast.

Major-General Palm retired in March 2024.^[4]

Structure

As of January 2024, the Estonian Division comprised:

• Estonian Division headquarters, in Tallinn^[5]
  • Headquarters and Signal Battalion, in Tallinn
  • Reconnaissance Battalion, in Tallinn
  • Artillery Battalion, in Tapa
  • Logistics Battalion, in Paldiski
  • 1st Infantry Brigade, in Tapa
    • 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 (being formed)
    • 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^[6]
    • Headquarters and Signal Company, in Luunja
    • 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)

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.^[7]

Notes and References

1. News: Estonian government establishes Defense Forces division under NATO . 24 July 2023 . ERR News . 8 December 2022 . en.
2. Web site: Estonia transfers its newly established Division to Multinational Corps Northeast . Multinational Corps Northeast . 24 July 2023 . 27 April 2023.
3. News: Maj. Gen. Veiko-Vello Palm appointed Estonian division commander . 24 July 2023 . ERR . 16 January 2023 . en.
4. News: Estonian Division commander to retire from active service in March . 20 April 2024 . ERR . 29 February 2024 . en.
5. Web site: Division . Estonian Defense Forces . 21 July 2023.
6. Web site: 2nd Infantry Brigade. Estonian Land Force. Estonian Defense Forces. 4 June 2017.
7. Web site: Joint Statement by the Defence Ministers of the United Kingdom and Estonia . GOV.UK . 24 July 2023 . en . 12 July 2023.