NATO Archives - Estonian World

The Estonian Defence Forces in Afghanistan – in pictures

Estonian World / August 16, 2021

From 2003-2014, Estonia participated in Afghanistan under the NATO mission, International Security Assistance Force; this selection of pictures tells a little story of the Estonian soldiers in Afghanistan.* The Estonian Defence Forces were active in Afghanistan since 2003, serving along the British forces in the restless Helmand province in southern Afghanistan. The first contingent to […]

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The largest Spring Storm military exercise is on the way in Estonia

Sten Hankewitz / May 10, 2019

The largest Spring Storm military exercise in the history where, in addition to the Estonian troops, also 2,500 allied military personnel from 17 countries participate in, is on the way; the allies are practicing cooperation under the Estonian lead. The countries participating in the Spring Storm (Kevadtorm in Estonian) military drill are the United States,

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Estonia’s decision of the decade: joining the EU

Silver Tambur / May 1, 2019

Joining the largest economic and political union in the world – the European Union – was the best decision Estonia could make in 2004.* When Estonia restored its independence in 1991, it had a choice – to keep strong economic bonds with former imperial power Russia, or look to the West – towards Europe. After

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The 70th anniversary of NATO confirms the solidarity of the alliance

Sten Hankewitz / April 7, 2019

On 4 April, a ministerial meeting marked the 70th anniversary of NATO and confirmed the solidarity of the alliance. At the meeting, the talks covered the future of NATO and the changing security situation, including Russia and the effect of the violation of the INF Treaty, the Estonian foreign ministry said in a statement. The

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Estonia celebrates its 15th anniversary as a member of NATO

Sten Hankewitz / April 1, 2019

1 April marks 15 years since Estonia joined NATO: an event that gave Estonia the greatest security guarantee ever due to a close defence cooperation with 28 allies. The Estonian prime minister, Jüri Ratas, said the day Estonia joined NATO is a day of allies. “For forty years, we were forced to look from the

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US Air Force B-52s conduct missions across Europe, including Estonia

Sten Hankewitz / March 20, 2019

Four US Air Force B-52 Stratofortresses conducted flights from RAF Fairford, the UK, to several places in Europe on 18 March, including to the Norwegian Sea, the Baltic Sea and Estonia, and the Mediterranean Sea and Greece. In Estonia, a B-52 conducted training with NATO Joint Terminal Attack Controllers on the ground. The mission to

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Estonia concludes the investigation to the accidental air-to-air missile firing

Sten Hankewitz / February 25, 2019

Estonia has concluded its investigation to the AMRAAM air-to-air missile launched by a Spanish NATO Baltic Air Policing aircraft on 7 August 2018 in the course of the air exercise in the Estonian air space. The investigation found the missile was accidentally fired as a result of the pilot’s failure to comply with the safety

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UK to deploy deadly Apache helicopters in Estonia

Silver Tambur / February 13, 2019

The UK defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, has announced that the British Army’s Wildcat and Apache helicopters will be deployed in Estonia in 2019. Williamson made the announcement at a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels. The British Army aircraft will provide aviation training opportunities to NATO allies during Estonia’s annual military exercise, Spring Storm,

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Taavi Toom: It’s a good idea to host NATO summit in Estonia

Taavi Toom / January 25, 2019

Estonian diplomats have discussed since 2015 the idea to host a high-profile NATO summit that includes the premiers in Tallinn; the idea was again reiterated by the current prime minister, Jüri Ratas, and Taavi Toom, a former Estonian diplomat, highlights why Estonia would be the ideal place for the summit. The Estonian prime minister, Jüri

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Belgian troops join the UK-led battle group in Tapa, Estonia

Sten Hankewitz / January 23, 2019

Belgian troops have taken over the responsibility from the Danish contingent at the Tapa military camp and joined the UK-led battle group. The Belgian contingent has nearly 300 troops and they are from the Chasseur Ardennais battalion. The Belgians brought nearly 100 vehicles with them, including armoured personnel carriers Piranha. The newly arrived infantry unit

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