Last night, Estonian Parliament Riigikogu approved the Ministry of Defence's plans for Estonia to participate in international military operations next year with up to 128 troops.
"It is extremely important for Estonia that, despite the difficult security situation, we are also ready to support our closest Allies in international military operations. Currently, our biggest contribution is in Iraq, where we have 110 troops," Minister of Defence, Hanno Pevkur said. According to Pevkur Estonia assesses regularly the needs and the security context of the host countries together with its Allies to decide the support it can provide.
Estonia will continue to participate in NATO, European Union and UN-led operations with staff officers. Since June this year, Estonia has been participating in the EU operation EUNAVFOR Aspides in the Red Sea region with one staff officer. Attacks on Houthi rebel merchant and military ships in the Red Sea have worsened the security situation in the entire region. The aim of the military operation launched by the EU is to restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and ensure the safety of vessels in the region by protecting ships from attacks and escorting vessels throughout the area of operation.
Estonia is also ready to contribute to NATO's ARF/SNF (Allied Reaction Force, Standing Naval Forces) readiness forces with up to 76 troops, including a mine countermeasures vessel crew and a separate staff officer. In addition, Estonian Defence Forces are ready to participate in the United Kingdom-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) with up to 24 Service Members. The focus of the JEF is ensuring security in the Baltic Sea region and the North Atlantic, thereby strengthening the defence and deterrence posture in the Baltic countries. This month, Estonia will host a Joint Expeditionary Force Heads of State meeting in Tallinn, where the topics will be both regional security and support for Ukraine.
Similar to previous years, the government received a mandate for possible first-time and urgent participation in an international military operation led by NATO or its member states, the EU or the UN; next year, the mandate will be for contributions of up to 100 troops.
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