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Public Relations Service:
+372 717 1190,
Juhkentali 58, 15007, Tallinn, Estonia
- Is the highest staff of the military defence of the state of Estonia, its
operation is based on the legislation of the Republic of Estonia, decisions
of the Parliament and the Government and the Statutes of the Government of
the Republic of Estonia.
- Retains the readiness of the Defence Forces at a level necessary for the
attainment of the national defence goals.
- Gathers information necessary for the defence of the state and makes plans
and preparations for military national defence.
- Monitors and analyses the fulfilment of tasks of the troops, staffs and
institutions subordinated to it and, if necessary, provides respective assistance.
- Participates in the leadership of the Defence Forces in wartime and peacetime
in order to ensure internal and external security of the state.
- Organises the staffing of the Defence Forces, the active service and all
aspects of training.
- Co-operates with the Ministries of the Republic of Estonia, state agencies
and local authorities in the areas concerning the national defence tasks put
on these institutions.
Leadership of the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces
As of 13 March 2007 the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces is headed by Brigadier General
Neeme Väli.
The Chief of the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces commands the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces
and the units, institutions and organisations subordinated
to it. The Chief of the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces accepts for active service and releases
from active service personnel of the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces in
accordance with applicable system and procedures. |
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| Brigadier General Neeme Väli |
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History of the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces
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| Major General Jaan Soots |
The history of the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces starts in 1917 when, after the collapse of
Czarist Russia, the Staff of the Estonian Division was formed with the permission
of the Russian Provisional Government. The staff was established by the experienced
officers educated in the Academy of the General Staff Andres Larka and Jaan
Soots.
Premises for the division staff were found in a house on the corner of Nunne
and Kloostri streets in Tallinn. After the founding of the division, the formation
work of the Estonian military units that had already been established by the
time became more purposeful and energetic.
In 1918 after the founding of the Republic of Estonia the name of the division
staff was changed into the Staff of Estonian Armies. Nikolai Reek was appointed
Chief of Staff.
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| Major General Nikolai Reek |
When the War of Independence started, the Staff of the Commander-in-Chief of
the Armies was formed. The General Staff and the Administrative Agency were
subordinated to it. Major Generals Larka and Soots headed these structures successfully
throughout the War of Independence.
In 1926 the position of the Chief of Staff was abolished and the General Staff
and the Administrative Agency were subordinated directly to the Minister of
War. In 1929 the Staff of the Defence Forces was created, which assumed the
functions of the abolished General Staff and Administrative Agency. In 1938
the staff was called the Staff of the Armies. When Estonia was occupied in 1940,
the staff was abolished.
Chiefs of the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces
From 2007 Neeme Väli
2002-2006 Alar Laneman
1999-2002 Aarne Ermus
1997-1999 Ants Laaneots
1991-1994 Ants Laaneots
1939-1940 Aleksander Jaakson
1937-1939 Nikolai Reek
1925-1934 Juhan Tõrvand
1920-1925 Paul-Adolf Lill
1920 Jaan Rink
1917-1920 Jaan Soots
Historical names of the General Staff
From 2009 Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces<
1991 -2008 General Staff of the Defence Forces
1937-1940 Staff of the Armies
1929-1937 Staff of the Defence Forces
1924-1929 General Staff
1920-1924 Staff of Estonian Armies
1917-1920 Staff of the Estonian Division
Present time
On 31 October 1991 the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces was set up with
the order no. 404-k of the Government of the Republic. The basic documents for
the work of the Headquarters were the temporary statutes adopted by the Government
of the Republic on 2 December 1991, other national defence legislation, decrees
of the Parliament and the Government of the Republic prepared and adopted in
1992-1998.
Since its creation, the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces has used the names of departments, structures
and procedures corresponding to those at the staffs of NATO and these are constantly
being developed. In 1995 the Navy Staff and the Air Force Staff were created
as independent units on the basis of the Navy and Air Force Department of the
General Staff. In 2001 the Army Staff was added to the former.
Departments of the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces
General Department
PR and protocol issues of the Defence Forces.
Organisation of administrative affairs and administration of the Headquarters building.
Personnel Department - J1
Organisation of human resources work in the Defence Forces.
Information Department - J2
Military intelligence and counterintelligence.
Operations Department - J3/7
Training and development planning of the Defence Forces.
Logistics Department - J4
Management of economic activity.
Analysis and Planning Department - J5
Long-term planning, resources projection and development of defence priorities
of the Defence Forces.
Signals Department - J6
Communications and information systems of the Defence Forces.
Department of Budget and Finance - J8
Accounting and technical preparation of the budget of the Defence Forces.
Building of the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces
The house was built in 1925 for a military hospital. The architect was Aleksander
Vladovski. As many other Vladovski's buildings, the house at 58 Juhkentali Street
is designed as Neo-Classicist, with some elements of late Jugend style. The
planning solution involves three wings.
In the Soviet time the building also housed a military hospital.
In the 1990s the plot was transferred to the Defence Forces.
The building was restored by AS Merko.
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