Image source: topwar.ru
Estonia is discussing the possibility of increasing the number of personnel of the country's Defense Forces in wartime almost twice – from 26,700 to 43,700 people. The corresponding proposal was made by Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, as reported by the press service of the national military department.
It is possible to achieve such a significant increase in the number of personnel of the Estonian Defense Forces in wartime only through the conscription of reservists. Now it is proposed to include not only the cadre army (6,400 military personnel), but also the Kaitseliit militia (over 20 thousand people) and reservists in the upper limit of the number.
To increase the number of personnel, it will be necessary to mobilize reservists in wartime. The upper limit on the number of personnel means that exactly this number of soldiers and officers will be available to the commander of the Defense Forces in the event of a declaration of martial law in the country.
Currently, the Estonian Defense Forces include the Estonian Defense Army, the Estonian Defense Union ("Kaitseliit"), and in wartime they will be joined by paramilitary units of the Police Department and Border Guard.
The basis of the Estonian land forces until recently were 2 infantry brigades. In January 2023, a division of the Estonian Defense Forces was created on their basis, which included the 1st and 2nd infantry brigades, a logistics battalion, a headquarters and communications battalion. It should be noted that the division includes not only Estonian units themselves, but also military personnel from NATO countries who are permanently stationed on Estonian territory on the basis of the principle of rotation.
