Branches of the Defence Forces and Other Units

Branches and Units of the Defence Forces

The Estonian Defence Forces operate under the Ministry of Defence and are subordinate to the Government of the Republic of Estonia as a militarily organized executive authority, led by the Commander of the Defence Forces.

Estonia’s national defense is based on the principle of total defense, implemented by the Defence Forces and the Defence League. The goal of national defense is to ensure Estonia’s independence and sovereignty, protect its territory, territorial waters, and airspace integrity, maintain constitutional order, and guarantee the security of the people. Fulfilling these duties is the responsibility of the national defense command structure in both peacetime and crisis.

The operational structure of the Estonian Defence Forces consists of units with varying readiness levels, composed of professional soldiers, reservists, and members of the Defence League. In peacetime, the Defence Forces comprise about 5,500 service members, but in wartime, up to 270,000 individuals can be called into service. The structure includes units fully staffed by professional soldiers as well as those partially staffed by reservists. The largest unit composed solely of professional soldiers is the Scout Battalion.

The most important part of the Estonian Defence Forces is the regular army, which is divided into land, navy, and air forces.

LAND FORCES

The Land Forces is the largest branch of the Defence Forces. The Land Forces play a key role in defending Estonian territory and preparing units for foreign operations. Their priority is to develop rapid response units and general-purpose combat units, reception country support, and territorial support structures. When necessary, the Land Forces must assist civilian organizations in the event of natural disasters or catastrophes caused by human activity.

NAVY

The Navy is a branch of the armed forces that operates primarily at sea, but not exclusively. The Estonian Navy is responsible for maritime defense and ensures security in Estonian waters as well as on international naval missions in cooperation with allies.

Patrol and mine countermeasure vessels maintain a naval presence and protect shipping routes to ensure safe and uninterrupted maritime traffic. However, naval personnel do not operate solely on ships—their duties also extend to land and even underwater.

The primary objective of the Mine Warfare Division is to conduct mine warfare operations at sea and in ports, ensuring access to Estonian harbors for both our own and allied units. The division is also responsible for establishing maritime situational awareness.

The Patrol Vessel Division conducts maritime patrols in Estonia’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. An equally important task is readiness for marine pollution response and maritime rescue operations.

In both the Mine Warfare Division and the Patrol Vessel Division, the main service location for conscripts is a naval vessel, with specializations in ship armaments, communications and IT, engine and electrical systems, and culinary services.

The Coastal Defense Division carries out long-range surface strike operations from land when needed, using weapons that cover the entire Estonian maritime area. Another function is providing protection for units during movement and deployment.

The Combat Service Support Division ensures logistical support for the Navy and allied forces—supplies and ammunition are the foundation of every unit’s sustainability. Conscripts in combat support operate technical vehicle fleets, transport combat materials, and ensure the security of deployment areas.

AIR FORCE

The Estonian Air Force controls the country’s airspace and ensures the air defense of strategic objects. Its priorities include monitoring Estonian airspace and receiving allied aircraft.

A modern air surveillance system enables cooperation within NATO’s integrated air defense system. Additionally, the Air Force must be capable of providing standardized services to aircraft in accordance with the host nation’s requirements.

Air Defense Division

(Currently does not train conscripts)
The newest and most advanced unit in the Estonian Air Force dedicated to conscript training is the Air Defense Division. Its mission is to protect the population, infrastructure, and Defense Forces units from enemy air and missile attacks.

To achieve this, the division uses the world’s most modern and capable medium-range air defense system—IRIS-T SLM—which can destroy targets up to 40 km away and 20 km high.

What makes the service special is the diverse, exciting, and challenging training with state-of-the-art technology. The training is role-specific and unique in Estonia, conducted by top experts in their fields. In the Air Defense Division, conscripts and active-duty personnel are equally valued members of the team.

Ajateenistuses pakutavad ametikohad:

• Raketimeeskonna ülem ja ülema abi – ülemana juhid, õpetad ja treenid oma meeskonda. Ülema abina toetad teda nende ülesannete täitmisel.
• Tulejuht – jälgid õhus toimuvat ning sihtmärgi ilmumisel ja käsu saamisel tulistad raketi, et sihtmärk hävitada.
• Radarioperaator – vastutad radari töö eest, et tulejuht saaks õhuolukorda jälgida. Samuti toetad tulejuhti sihtmärkide tuvastamisel.
• Autojuht – juhid üksuse veokeid, et tagada süsteemide mobiilsus ja üksuse operatiivsus üle Eesti.
• Tehnik – hooldad ja vajadusel remondid üksuse tehnikat (radareid, raketilaskeseadmeid, sõidukeid). Kasutatav tehnika on uus ja vajab peamiselt regulaarset hooldust.
• Sidemees – seadistad ja tagad üksuse sidevahendite (raadiojaamad, telefonid, ruuterid) töö.
• Raketilaskeseadme operaator – seadistad raketilaskeseadme ja vastutad selle kaitsmise eest.

Other Units of the Estonian Defence Forces

Military Police

The Military Police is a structural unit of the Defence Forces whose main tasks are:

• monitoring order and discipline,
• processing criminal and disciplinary offenses,
• protecting persons specified by law both in Estonia and abroad.

The Military Police has two branches: professional service and conscript training for wartime duties. Future military police officers are trained by the Guard Battalion.

Acquiring military police-specific skills provides a good foundation for applying to the Academy of Security Sciences or working in the internal security sector. First, conscripts acquire basic soldier skills, after which they undergo military police training, which includes:

• escorting and securing convoys (including allied convoys),
• protecting critical Defence Forces resources and objects in heightened threat situations,
• patrol service and law enforcement,
• detainee handling skills.

In addition, the Guard Battalion performs a nationally significant duty – 24/7 honor guard at the Office of the President of the Republic and participation in national and military ceremonies as the honor guard unit. Soldiers of the Guard Battalion are lifelong presidential guards and, during their service, serve as Estonia’s calling card to the world.

Guard Battalion

The Guard Battalion is part of the Military Police. The main tasks of the battalion are the preparation of military police units and participation in military and national ceremonies.

The unit also fulfills a national representational role, with conscripts serving as the honor guard at the Office of the President of the Republic. In addition, they take part in various ceremonies, including:

• standing in the honor guard formation during the arrival and departure of high-ranking guests,
• participating in state and military funerals,
• taking part in memorial ceremonies,
• attending ambassador credential presentations.

Because of this, the basic military training for conscripts in the Guard Battalion differs from that in other units—they must also complete a specialized honor guard training course in addition to standard instruction.

Support Command

Support Command provides the Defence Forces with supplies and logistics, as well as medical equipment, training, and materials. Conscription in the Support Command lasts 11 months and begins either in January or July. Conscripts receive their training in the Supply Battalion.

The Supply Battalion is the only subunit within the Support Command that trains conscripts. It stores and supplies Defence Forces units with the necessary resources. Additionally, it supports units with equipment maintenance and repair. The battalion consists of three specialty sections:

• repair,
• supply,
• transport.

Specialist-led training takes place in repair workshops and warehouses across Estonia.

Supply Battalion Specialties

Driver and Tow Truck Driver – opportunity to obtain C, CE, and D category driver’s licenses, plus training for transporting and handling hazardous materials (fuel, ammunition, explosives) and training as a crane and/or forklift operator.

Technical Repair Mechanic – opportunity to work in a modern repair shop maintaining and repairing all Defence Forces equipment, from jeeps to combat vehicles, including NATO weaponry.

Warehouse Operator–Forklift Driver and Material Accountant – professional training in inventory management, responsible for assembling and issuing supplies and managing documentation essential for the daily operations of the Defence Forces.

Support Command Medical Centre

The main tasks of the Support Command Medical Centre are organizing the provision of medical services to the Defence Forces and ensuring medical supplies and pharmaceuticals for Defence Forces structural units.

Cyber Command

Küberväejuhatus on iga päev lahinguväljal. Olgugi, et üldsusele nähtamatu, on küberoht reaalne ja nõuab ka riigi relvajõudude tähelepanu. Ajateenistus kübersõdurinaOffers a unique opportunity to apply your professional skills and, together with top specialists in the field, stand for the protection, security, and integrity of the Estonian state. The command is located in Tallinn, at the historic Defence Forces Filtri tee garrison.

Cyber Command primarily seeks communication specialists (photographers, videographers, reporters, and analysts) with previous experience and/or education. Express your interest at https://mil.ee/kyberajateenistus.

In Cyber Command, service can be performed in the following subunits:

Information and Communication Technology Centre (IKTKe)

Conscription in IKTKe can be completed as an IT user support specialist or as a developer.

As a user support specialist, you will learn about the IT systems used in the Defence Forces and how to resolve emerging issues and service requests.

While serving in the development team, it feels like being in a startup where you never know what client requests will need to be solved the next day.

You are a good fit for IKTKe if you have education and/or work experience in information technology.

Cyber and Information Operations Centre (KIOKe)

KIOKe is primarily engaged in cybersecurity and cyber operations. During the service, conscripts are trained to conduct various cyber and information operations and to monitor what is happening in our network.

You are a good fit for KIOKe if you feel at home in CTF competitions and are an experienced cyber investigator.

Strategic Communication Centre (StratKomKe)

StratKomKe deals with the Defence Forces’ content creation, public information, media operations, and media archive.

A media soldier has the opportunity to train as a reporter, team leader, photographer, videographer, analyst, designer, or podcaster.

Depending on the training cycle, soldiers are divided into combat camera or direct communication teams.

You are a good fit for StratKomKe if you have previous experience in photography, video production, or content creation, and have good written and verbal communication skills.

Staff and Support Company (StTaKo)

StTaKo provides the General Staff of the Defence Forces and Cyber Command with equipment, transport, medical, and other services. You can specialize in the following areas:

Warehouse group,
Transport group,
Repair and maintenance group,
Paramedic training.

Conscription in Cyber Command

Conscription in Cyber Command lasts 11 months and begins in January or July. The service starts with a basic military course where the cyber soldier acquires the basic knowledge of an individual fighter and learns how to manage in the forest. After that, soldiers proceed to a junior non-commissioned officer or specialty course. In the second half of the service, the subunit course begins, during which the wartime position is learned and cooperation with the unit is practiced.

Military Orchestra

The Estonian Military Orchestra is part of the Estonian War Museum. The Military Orchestra performs at national ceremonies and other official events, promotes military music, collaborates with other orchestras, and fosters the culture of professional wind music.

Intelligence Centre

The Intelligence Centre is looking to recruit officers, non-commissioned officers, and specialists with higher education who possess analytical thinking skills, knowledge of military affairs, technology, and the cyber world, and the ability to process and analyze large volumes of information to provide competent assessments.

Estonian Contingent of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence

The goal of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (NATO CCD COE) is to enhance the cyber defence capabilities, cooperation, and information exchange of NATO structures, NATO member states, and partners. The Centre focuses on training, development and research activities, preparing conclusions and analyses, and providing consultations. The organization includes over forty staff members from fourteen NATO member countries, and its working language is English.