Maavägi

Estonian Ground Force Maavägi
Estonian Ground Force emblem
Active	1918–present
Country	Estonia
Role	Ground defence
Equipment	Pasi XA-180, XA-188; FH-70; D-30(2A-18); 120 mm mortars
Engagements	War of Independence Iraqi war (2003) Afghanistan War (2001)
Commanders
Commander	Colonel Indrek Sirel

The Estonian Ground Force (Estonian: Maavägi) is the name of the unified ground forces among the Estonian Defence Forces where it has an offensive military formation role. It is currently also the largest military branch with the average size during the peacetime with around 6,000 soldiers, conscripts and officers.

The Maavägi development priorities are the capability to participate in missions outside the national territory and the capability to 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. Infantry brigade will act as a training and support frame for deployable units. Homeland security structure units will have the capability to carry out territorial military tasks and support civil structures.

The Maavägi is structured according to the principle of a reserve force which means that the main part of the defence forces of the state are units in a trained reserve. For a state with few human and economic resources, a reserve force based on the will of defence of the citizens is the only viable form of national defence.

In peacetime the reservists conduct normal lives and the state takes care of their training and the procurement of equipment and weapons. In wartime the reservists are mobilized into military units. 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. The Estonian Army is always in constant defence readiness in co-operation with the other services.

Interwar history

The 1st and 2nd Divisions were created during the Estonian War of Independence, the 2nd Division in December 1918-January 1919. The Scouts Single Infantry Battalion was formed on 21 December 1918.

On 21 November 1928 eight 'Single Infantry Battalions' were created. The peacetime purpose of these battalions was to train conscripts. 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 war time order of battle would have transformed the battalion into a regiment size unit carrying the same unit number and 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 3153 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 February 1, 1940 and four divisions were created. The 4th Division staff was based in Viljandi. The division was made up by the Pärnu-Viljandi Military District and Valga Military District. The division's last commander was Colonel Jaan Maide. The four divisions were active until the Soviet occupation of Estonia.

Organization

The Estonian Ground Force actively uses seven sizes of military unit: the Lahingpaar (English: Fire and maneuver team), the Salk (English: Fireteam), the Jagu (English: Section), the Rühm (English: Platoon), the Kompanii (English: Company), the Pataljon (English: Battalion), and the Brigaad (English: Brigade). The Diviis or in (English: Division) is not in active use.

Peacetime structure

Maavägi Peacetime Structure

1st Inf Brig

Viru
Garrison

Ämari Air Base

Taara Garrison

Tapa
Garrison

Tallinn Garrison

Estonian military units and bases
Source: Jane's World Armies Issue 23 - 2008
Tapa Garrison: is also for the HQ Northeastern Defence District and fields the 1st Artillery, Air Defence, and Engineer Battalions.
Note 2: Tallinn is HQ Northern Defence District, HQ Estonian Navy, and garrison for the Guard Battalion.

1st Infantry Brigade (likely to be motorized with APC-s) (Paldiski)

• Scouts Battalion (Paldiski)
• Kalevi Infantry Battalion (Paldiski)
• Combat Service Support Battalion (Paldiski)

North-Eastern Defence Command (Tapa)

• Engineer Battalion (Tapa)
• Artillery Battalion (Tapa)
• Air Defence Battalion (Tapa)
• Central Training Area
• Viru Infantry Battalion (Jõhvi)

Northern Defence Command (Tallinn)

• Headquarters and Signal Battalion (Tallinn)
• Guard Battalion (Tallinn)

Southern Defence Command (Võru)

• Kuperjanov Infantry Battalion (Võru)

Western Defence Comamand (Pärnu)

• no regular military units

Wartime structure

Since the Maavägi is based on the principles of the reserve army, during the wartime it can man and arm during the conflict the following wartime structure:

• 4 infantry brigades
• 3 air-defence battalions
• 2 engineer battalions
• 3 artillery battalions
• 2 combat support service battalions
• 2 scouts companies
• 2 anti-tank companies
• 2 signal companies

Equipment

Main articles: Equipment of the Maavägi and Former equipment of the Maavägi

Since the restoration of the Estonian Defence Forces on September 3, 1991 the Maavägi has developed with a great deal. Today the Ground Force operates with modern weapons and weapon-systems on foreign missions and future battlefields. Even though the current logistic support is still based on variety of different and mainly older Western vehicles, also former Soviet, the modernization of the army branch is in the national defence policy agenda. In recent years Estonia has purchased more modern transport vehicles for the armed forces of the republic.

Modernization

According to the long-term defence development plan the Ground Force is currently undergoing a modernization program. By the year 2018 the Ground Force is likely to be equipped with the modern tanks and infantry fighting vehicles along with the additional armoured personnel carriers. The artillery capabilities were greatly increased in 2008 with the purchase of 122mm field howitzers from Finland. The army is also planning to add some tactical air surveillance and transport capabilities in terms of helicopters. A partial list of planned new weapon purchases for the Defence Forces include:

An Estonian XA-180 in Afghanistan.

Armoured fighting vehicles

• Main battle tanks: ~50 units

Armoured vehicles

• Armoured personnel carriers: 57 units (Sisu XA-180)
• Armoured personnel carriers: 81 units (Sisu XA-188)

Anti-tank systems

• C-90 grenade launchers
• Milan-2 anti-tank guided missiles

Anti-air systems

• NASAMS medium to long range anti-air systems. (most likely)

Aviation

• EC-135 transport helicopters (most likely)

Main bases of Estonian Ground Forces

• Jägala army base, expected 2014
• Tapa army base

Closed and reorganised units

• Tartu battalion
• Parnu battalion

See also

• Estonian Special Operations Force

External links

• Estonian Defence Forces
• Estonian Ministry of Defence