Commander of Navy: Captain (Navy) Igor Schvede, CV
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Naval Headquarters:
Phone: +372 717 1700
Fax: +372 717 1708
E-mail:
Naval Base:
Phone: +372 717 7000
Fax: +372 717 7008
E-mail:
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MCM Squadron:
Phone: +372 717 7100
Fax: +372 717 7008
E-mail:
Navy insignia
Navy publications |
Responsibilities
The Navy is responsible for protecting the territorial waters of the Republic of Estonia.
In case of a crisis situation the Navy must be ready to defend sea approaches, harbour areas, sea lines of communication and to co-operate with coalition units.
Navy flagship ENS Admiral Pitka |
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Mine warfare
The top priority for the Navy is the development of mine countermeasures capability that is also one of the Navy's peacetime responsibilities: during World War I and II more than 80 000 sea mines were laid in the Baltic Sea. Since 1995 number of mine clearance operations have been carried out in Estonian waters in close co-operation with other navies of the Baltic Sea region in order to find and dispose ordnance and contribute to safe seagoing.
International co-operation
Since 1995 Estonian Navy ships have participated in most of the major international exercises and operations carried out in the Baltic Sea.
Even though it was not until 1994 when the Navy was re-established and despite of the fact that it incorporates one of the smallest fleets in the world, the young crews of the Navy ships have demonstrated excellent interoperability during international exercises and have proved to be equal partners with other navies.
NATO Response Force (NRF) SNMCMG1
From May 2005 to March 2006 ENS Admiral Pitka was assigned as the Command and Support Ship of Standing NATO Response Force Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) which is part of the NRF maritime capability. ENS Admiral Pitka was the first vessel from the Baltic navies to be part of the force. SNMCMG1 is also one of the main partners of Estonian Navy in NATO.
BALTRON
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ENS Admiral Pitka |
In 1998 Baltic Naval Squadron - BALTRON was inaugurated. The main responsibility of BALTRON is to improve the co-operation between the Baltic States in the areas of naval defence and security. Constant readiness to contribute units to NATO-led operations is assured through BALTRON.
Each Baltic state appoints one or two ships to BALTRON for certain period and staff members for one year. Service in BALTRON provides both, the crews and staff officers, with an excellent opportunity to serve in international environment and acquire valuable experience in mine countermeasures.
Estonia provides BAL TRON with on-shore facilities for the staff.
Training
 Most of the Estonian Navy officers have been trained in European or US naval academies. In 2003 Estonian Navy established its own Centre of Naval Education and Training (CNET) to train petty officers.
Each Baltic state shares its limited training resources with the others, for instance Estonia provides communications training in Baltic Naval Communications School in Tallinn and Latvia hosts common Baltic Naval Diving Training Centre in Liepaja.
Centre of Naval Education and Training (CNET)
Medium term goals
- Maintain the readiness of three ships for participation in NATO-led operations, both independently or as a part of BALTRON;
- Continue the development of mine countermeasures capability, including the mine database;
- Develop national Naval and Maritime Integrated C31 System; continue the development of Centre for Naval Education and Training.
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