Unit Name: | Estonian Mineships Division |
Type: | Division |
Branch: | Estonian Navy |
Dates: | 1997–2014 |
Size: | 350 personnel |
Garrison: | Tallinn |
Anniversaries: | 15 May 1997 |
The Estonian Mineships Division was the main Estonian Naval Unit and the part of Estonian Navy. The top priority for the Navy is the development of a mine countermeasures capability, as that is also one of the Navy's peacetime responsibilities: during World War I and II more than 80,000 sea mines were laid in the Baltic Sea. Since 1995 a number of mine clearance operations have been carried out in Estonian waters in close co-operation with other navies of the Baltic Sea region in order to find and dispose of ordnance and contribute to safe seagoing.[1] Estonian MCM vessels also participate in NATO naval exercises.