Estonian govt forms Northeast defense district
13.03.2008
TALLINN, Mar 13, BNS - The Estonian government ruled today to unite an artillery regiment, an antiaircraft battalion and a pioneer battalion based at Tapa and the Viru Infantry Battalion based in Johvi into one structure, the Northeast defense district.
The Northeast defense district will beside operational duties also fulfill training and administrative duties.
The proposal to the Defense Ministry to regulate the command structure of the armed forces came from the commander of the defense forces, Lt. Gen. Ants Laaneots.
The ministry said staffs of existing defense districts have no operational duties and the planning capability necessary for fulfilling them, units subordinated to them in peacetime and cohesion with higher command levels.
The establishment of the Northeast defense district creates a clear and simple structure which possesses clear subordination to the chief of the Army and units necessary for performing both wartime and peacetime duties.
So far both defense districts and the peacetime training centers in their territories were subordinated to the Army chief.
High hopes for the improvement of the mobilization system are also pinned on the Northeast defense district. Plans are to bring both the keeping of reserve records and planning of mobilization resource under the district staff.
The formation of the Northeast defense district is a pilot project. If it gets successfully off the ground similar reforms will be carried out next year in the West, South and North defense districts.
The resolution on the Northeast defense district will come into force on July 1.
Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8861, sise@bns.ee
 
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