“Lieutenant General Herem has developed Estonia’s defence capability with his mind and heart. He has a definite plan, and I wish him great strength in achieving his goals,” said Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur.
“In light of the current security situation, important defence investments and the implementation of decisions taken at the NATO Summit, it is very good that both General Herem himself and the Defence Forces were given early confidence with the extension of the term of office of the Commander of the Defence Forces,” Pevkur added.
“I have served in the Defence Forces for 30 years, and I definitely know this area. The Minister proposed that I continue for another two years, while my colleagues also provided encouragement. That is how this decision came about,” said Lieutenant General Herem.
Lieutenant General Martin Herem has served as the Commander of the Defence Forces since 5 December 2018. The term of office of the Commander of the Defence Forces is five years; however, the Government has the right to extend it by two years on the proposal of the Minister of Defence and taking into account the position of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu. On 10 October, the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu unanimously decided to support the extension of the term of office of the Commander of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Martin Herem, by two years and to submit the relevant position to the government.
General Herem began his service in the Estonian Defence Forces in 1992. Before being appointed Commander of the Defence Forces, he served as Chief of Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces. Previously, he has served as Commander of the Estonian National Defence College and the North-Eastern Regional Defence Command, and as Chief of Staff of the Tapa Training Centre.
In addition to serving in various leadership positions, he has participated in a foreign operation in Iraq and is among those responsible for re-establishing the Defence League.
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