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Office of Defense Cooperation
Tallinn, Estonia
Foreign Military Financing (FMF): Since 1995 Estonia has received nonrepayable FMF funds valued at $40 million. In 2003, Estonia received $9.25 million in FMF of which $2.75 million was Iraqi Supplemental Funds provided to support the Estonian contingent serving alongside U.S. troops in Iraq. Estonia has averaged roughly $6 million annually in FMF Funds. Estonia's focus for FMF funds is to purchase an entire network of standardized NATO-interoperable communications systems at all levels of the armed forces. Estonia has an excellent long-term plan to complete this goal for all services by 2011. Estonia also uses roughly $300,000 in FMF each year to support a U.S. Army officer serving as an instructor at the Baltic Defense College in Tartu and an advisor to the Estonian Air Force.
Roughly half of Estonia's 1998 FMF allocation funded the Estonian portion of the Regional Air Surveillance Coordination Center (RASCC). The Estonian Air Sovereignty Operations Center (ASOC) is based at Ämari Airbase. Since 1999 FMF funding has supported the purchase of C4 Communication systems, such as PABX Digital Switches, NATO-compatible Harris FM and HF Radios. In 2002, FMF funds were used to field their high-readiness infantry battalion (the Scout Battalion, also known as ESTBAT) with tactical Harris FM radios. Other FMF-supported purchases include four R-44 Robinson piston engine helicopters; a U.S. instructor at the Baltic Defence College; digital mapping equipment from NIMA; follow-on support for the ASOC; equipment for Ämari airfield; naval radar and navigation system; a digital side-scan sonar; clothing and organization equipment; and support for EDA transfers including CUCVs, -ex-USCG buoy tender "Valvas", M-14 rifles and ammunition, and various Host Nation Support equipment (vehicle support equipment, miscellaneous tools and test sets, communications equipment, medical equipment and supplies, NBC clothing and equipment, camouflage screening and equipment, and runway lights).
Estonia used 2003 Iraqi Supplemental funds to purchase equipment that would provide them comparable capabilities as the U.S. troops they fight alongside in Baghdad. Estonian MOD requested individual Night Vision Devices (NVDs), weapons night sights for both individual and crew served weapons and holographic weapons sites.
Estonia can expect to receive $5 million in FMF grant funds in FY 05. This figure represents a decrease in funding for this program. We expect this downward trend to continue in the future.
R-44 helicopters
Air Sovereignty
Operations Center (ASOC)
Training: The International Military Education and Training (IMET) program facilitates and strengthens the bilateral defense relationship between the U.S. and Estonia. The near-term focus of Estonia's IMET program will remain on professional and technical training for junior officers, and leadership or defense management training for mid-career and senior officials. Key personnel, such as the Land Forces Commander, Deputy Secretary General for Research, the Land Forces Chief of Staff, the acting Chief of the Navy, the Joint Operational Commander, and the Estonian Military Representative to NATO, have graduated from U.S. courses. Estonia's annual IMET allocations are fully utilized and end-of-year funds are consistently requested and filled to meet additional requirements. Estonia sends over 50 personnel to U.S. schools and hosts at least two Mobile Training Teams each year.
IMET also supports a well-established English Language Training program. In 2002, Estonia's English Language Testing Board members conducted an Observers Course and Familiarization visit to two U.S. Defense Language Institutes to receive assistance in establishing NATO-required STANAG testing procedures. Two U.S. instructors taught intensive language courses to some of the many advanced speakers of English in 2003.
In 2003 Estonia received $1.1 million in IMET funding and will receive a total of $1.2 million for 2004. The primary goal of the IMET program in Estonia is to promote military professionalism within the MOD, Defense Force, and Border Guard, and provide training otherwise unavailable in Estonia. In 2003, the program funded the training of 70 Estonian military and defense-associated personnel in the United States. The Embassy's Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) and the Estonian Ministry of Defense (MOD) focus IMET training on mid-level career officers. These officers represent the future leadership of the Estonian Defense Forces and provide the best return for our investment.
2004's budget will support training roughly 65 Estonians in the United States. The 2005 IMET budget should remain about the same as 2004.
Excess Defense Articles (EDA): Estonia is eligible to purchase lethal and non-lethal EDA (at 5-50% of acquisition value based on condition) and to receive lethal and non-lethal EDA on a grant basis under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act. From 1993 through 2001, Estonia received EDA with an original acquisition value of roughly $34M (current value of roughly $13M). In addition to the excess USCG Balsam-Class buoy tender, other EDA included 40,500 M-14 rifles and associated ammunition, individual soldier equipment, trucks, and a wide range of equipment that had been located in Germany for Wartime Host Nation Support (WHNS). In 2003, Estonia accepted EDA computer equipment and additional ammunition.
The U.S. Bilateral Affairs Officer conducts a bilateral military-to-military cooperation between the U.S. and Estonia. The Bilateral Affairs Officer position was created in 2002 as an integrated element of the U.S. Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC), and replaced the former Military Liaison Team (MLT). Under the guidance of the U.S. Ambassador and the Chief, Office of Defense Cooperation, the Bilateral Affairs Officer:
- Develops and executes all Joint Contact Team Program (JCTP) events;
- Coordinates all National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP) activities;
- Manages various projects related to Military Environmental Cooperation; and
- Supports other ODC activities as identified by the ODC Chief.
Joint Contact Team Program (JCTP):
Since 1993, the Joint Contact Team Program (JCTP) has served as a U.S. military-to-military cooperation program designed for selected countries of Central Europe and the Newly Independent States. JCTP operates under the auspices of the U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, and it began activities in Estonia in April 1993. The JCTP mission is to conduct a program of military-to-military contact events that provide the Estonian Defense Forces with exposure to U.S. military procedures, methods and techniques. The objective is to assist in achieving Estonian security goals by promoting stability, democracy, military professionalism, and closer relations with NATO.
JCTP accomplishes its objectives by focusing on two main types of information exchange events. Traveling Contact Teams (TCTs) are visits by U.S. military or Department of Defense subject matter experts to Estonia. Familiarization tours (FAMs) are visits by Estonian military personnel to U.S. facilities in Europe or the United States. Events normally last approximately eight days. TCTs normally consist of one to three U.S. instructors who will present briefings or discussions in their area of expertise with the Estonian audience. FAMs normally consist of one to six Estonian personnel who travel to the U.S. to become familiar with U.S. policies, procedures, and equipment. The FAM members then take this knowledge back to Estonia and apply it to their own development plans.
The subjects examined have included crisis management, leadership training, civil-military cooperation, radio communication, explosive ordnance disposal, information and physical security, and logistics. Emphasis is placed on areas that promote interoperability and will assist Estonia in developing closer relations within NATO. Until 2002, a four person U.S. Military Liaison Team, lead by a State Partnership representative, implemented the Joint Contact Team Program. Since that time, those functions have been integrated into the U.S. Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC), and conducted by the Bilateral Affairs Officer, who also serves as the ODC's deputy. The ODC will conduct roughly 10 JCTP events in FY 04 and another 10 in FY 05. The future of the program in Estonia is uncertain. EUCOM intends to shift the focus of JCTP to Eastern Europe and Africa. As a result, Estonia can expect fewer events in the next few years with the program likely terminating for Estonia by 2010.
The State Partnership Program (SPP) is a security cooperation tool that links National Guard states and territories with partner countries for the purpose of fostering mutual interests and establishing long-term relationships across all levels of society. Since 1993, the Maryland National Guard has actively supported its State Partnership Program (SPP) with the Republic of Estonia. Partnership activities have included participation in the Joint Contact Team Program (JCTP), GUARDEX, Minuteman Fellows, and Humanitarian Assistance.
Through JCTP, the Maryland National Guard has conducted presentations in Estonia on such topics as force structure, budgeting, staff officer development, civil-military cooperation, leadership, public affairs, recruiting and retention, and combat life saving. GUARDEX funding has brought Estonians soldiers to participate in Maryland National Guard annual training, including forty-five Estonian light infantrymen to the Patriot Exercise at Fort Drum in June 2004, and ten Estonian maintenance soldiers to Grafenwohr, Germany in July 2004. Visits by General officers, senior civic leaders, the Maryland National Guard band, and participation in the Erna Raid International Military Competition have also enriched the partnership.
Reduction in funding for JCTP events, has sharply reduced the number of State Partnership events over the past three years. With Estonia's NATO membership, funding for GUARDEX events will also come to an end. Continued funding from the Minuteman Fellows program directly from the Maryland National Guard should enable the program to continue, but at a greatly reduced level.
State Partner City Program:
Minuteman Fellows funding is authorized by Congress to support expenses incurred under the State Partnership Program. Minuteman Fellows funding has been used to broaden the partnership into the five main focus areas of partner cities, education and culture, economic development, medical cooperation, and the At-Risk Youth program.
Partner city relationships are currently established between ten Maryland and Estonian cities, with more activities and additional relationships planned for the future. Current partner cities include:
Tallinn and Annapolis
Tapa and Cumberland
Valga and Oakland
Otepää and McHenry
Sillamäe and Havre de Grace
Tõrva and Grantsville
Viljandi and Frostburg
Tartu and Salisbury
Paide and Westminster
Parnu and Ocean City
The State Partnership Program has been able to leverage MMF funding to gain funding from private and other government sources and to combine partner cities relationships with economic and educational cooperation. Strong support from the senior leadership of the Maryland National Guard has been instrumental in maximizing the limited MMF funding. It is unclear whether funding for MMF will increase, decrease or cease altogether. Even if it stays the same, the amount allocated to Estonia is likely to decrease as more and more state partners seek a piece of the total budget.
More information on the partner Cities program
Estonian participation in the USG Humanitarian Demining Program (HDP) was approved in July 1998 to support the establishment of a sustainable mine action capacity. While Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) primarily from World War II poses the greatest danger, mines in inland waterways and reservoirs are also creating numerous risks to Estonian citizens. Through FY02 Estonia has received $1.61 million in Non-proliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related (NADR) FMF, which were used to establish a National Demining Office, as well as supporting the purchase of mine detectors, vehicles, a robot with trailer, bomb suits, and chemical protection clothing and equipment. USEUCOM HD training took place in Estonia in FY00. The 2003 request included funding for an additional robot and trailer, demining equipment, training aids, and spare parts. Unfortunately, Estonia did not receive HD funding in 2003.
Estonia has two significant mine problems.
Sea Mines: The Baltic Sea was heavily mined during both world wars. Estimates that the remaining mines in the Gulf of Finland range high, but exact numbers are difficult to determine. Instances of deep sea fishing nets pulling up live mines are not uncommon. Growth in the maritime traffic including ferries, cargo ships, recreational vessels, and fishing are increasing the probability of future incidents. The most heavily mined locations are to the North of the Juminda Peninsula, North East of the Prangli Islands, North of Pakri Peninsula, North of the Tahkuna Peninsula, in Moonsund, and in the Strait of Irbe.
Land Ordnance: UXO found in Estonia are a direct result of World War II. Russian and German forces and their battle lines changed frequently during the war and resulted in large caches of ordnance buried by retreating forces. Such caches are found on a routine basis during planned de-mining/excavations as well as newly constructed building projects, both in cities as well as the countryside. Estimates of densities number in the hundreds of thousands based upon conducted excavations as well as data recordings conducted by Estonian de-mining teams. The highest concentration of unexploded ordnance is in the Northeast (Sinimäe) region of the country. An area now believed to be more than 25 square kilometers has the heaviest concentration. Based on data recordings, calls to the emergency center and three separate visits by de-miners, the Sõrve Peninsula (approximately 18 square kilometers on the southern tip of the Saaremaa island) is considered to be saturated with UXO. The third largest concentration discovered and recorded this year was in Männiku forest less than 6 kilometers south of Tallinn. During a one-week clearance operation, de-miners removed 246 jumping mines and 1,284 UXOs. Recent large aerial delivery ordnance has been discovered in Estonia's largest river (Jõgeveste) and two of Estonia's largest lakes. Mortars, rockets and artillery shells expended by Soviet troops and aircraft for the purposes of training have left some of Estonia's largest islands badly damaged and saturated with unexploded ordnance.
UXO Findings and Casualties
| | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
| UXOs | 1466 | 1958 | 4046 | 1898 | 10949 | 2152 | 2340 | 1437 | 1347 | 1669 | 2875 | 1952 | 2066 | 1751 |
| Deaths | 5 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Injuries | 10 | 11 | 26 | 24 | 20 | 6 | 16 | 18 | 9 | 7 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 8 |
Humanitarian assistance activities in 1999 included the renovation of the Kohtla-Järve Hospital ICU and Operating Room. Under the excess property program, medical supplies, vehicles, and furniture were furnished to the Kohtla-Järve Hospital and a children's home. Year 2000 activities included the renovation of a children's home and a Humanitarian and Civic Assistance (HCA) construction project at the Nõnova Orphanage. In 2001 three projects worth $335,000 allowed for the renovation of the Estonian Cancer Center, Tilsi Orphanage, and a section of the Tallinn Psychiatric Hospital. In conjunction with Exercise MEDCEUR 02, U.S. Navy Seabees and local workers completely renovated the Paldiski Polyclinic for $160,000. Excess medical property and furniture shipments valued at over $30,000 were also donated to the Polyclinic and an orphanage. 2002 funds were used to renovate the Kohtla-Nõmme Orphanage in northeast Estonia. On November 5, 2004, U.S. Ambassador
Aldona Wos and Minister of Social Affairs Marko Pomerants opened the
newly-renoved first floor of the Psychiatric Hospital. Ambassador Wos
presented the hospital with a van and an electrical generator.
Press Release Pressiteade Photos
Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) Tallinn and Deputy Director U.S. European Command (EUCOM) J4 Mr. Moore visit the
Humanitarian Assistance renovation project at the Tallinn Psyshiatric Hospital.
Admiral Kõuts, Chief of Defense, Ambassador DeThomas, U.S. Ambassador to Estonia, and LTC Pope, Chief,
Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC),
at the opening of the new ODC Facility
on the Estonian Defense Forces grounds, March 16, 2004
U.S. Initiatives:
Regional Airspace Initiative (RAI): The Regional Air Surveillance Coordination Center (RASCC) is the cornerstone of the USG initiative to establish a capability for creation of a regional air picture for peacetime air sovereignty purposes in the three Baltic states. The system became fully operational in June 2000, with the Coordination Center located in Lithuania and national nodes in all three countries. The Norwegian-led Baltic Air Surveillance Network (BALTNET) developed the conditions necessary to improve the air surveillance capability of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Through BALTNET, implementation of the U.S.-funded RASCC will be coordinated with Nordic and other donor states contributing surveillance system assistance to the Baltics.
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