Defence Minister Urmas Reinsalu and Commander of the Defence Forces Major General Riho Terras told journalists today that the Estonian infantry company due to be deployed in the NATO-led ISAF operation in Afghanistan in November will be the last Estonian Defence Forces combat company in southern Afghanistan.
Estonia plans to send two more manoeuvre units to Afghanistan – Estcoy-16, currently in pre-mission training, and Estcoy-17 in November. Current plans are for Estcoy-17 to be the last Estonian rotation in southern Afghanistan.
Defence Minister Urmas Reinsalu said the courageous and distinguished acts of Estonian soldiers have directly led to increased Estonian prestige and credibility in the eyes of NATO and the international community. “Estonia is vitally interested in a strong and trustworthy NATO and thus all of NATO’s endeavours and their success are important to us. Participating in the Afghanistan operation is a decision made by the Estonian people, Parliament and the Cabinet that supports Estonia’s national security. Our soldiers are fulfilling the duties of the Estonian state and people taken to allies,” Reinsalu told reporters.
“We want Afghanistan to become a peaceful and politically and economically stable country. It is in our interests that the central government of Afghanistan be strong, reliable in control of the territory of the country and that this country would never again become a hotbed for international terrorism,” said the defence minister.
Commander of the Defence Forces, Major General Riho Terras, said the Afghanistan mission has helped the Defence Forces to raise its combat ability, become better equipped, and develop weaponry and tactics. “Hundreds of Estonian officers, NCOs and enlisted men have received real combat experience in Afghanistan. They have learned in Afghanistan to command supporting fire for aircraft, use high-tech observation equipment and carry out operations with the air force, clear complicated IEDs, and use and control drones,” said Terras.
“The military operation in Afghanistan has been difficult. Estonian Defence Forces members are operating in what is from a security standpoint the most complicated region. Now it is the solemn duty of our state to support and recognize the veterans who fought in Afghanistan and those closest to them,” said Reinsalu.
Estonia is drawing up its plans for the withdrawal together with its allies. The countries contributing to the ISAF mission have agreed that by summer 2013, ISAF will wind up combat operations and focus on supporting Afghanistan security forces. By that time, the entirety of the responsibility for the security situation must have been handed over to Afghanistan security forces.
It has also been agreed that ISAF will support Afghanistan security forces during the presidential and local elections to be held in April 2014.
The duties of the Estonian infantry company are to provide security for the handover and closing of the patrol bases, securing the perimeter of Camp Bastion and being prepared for rapid response.
Reinsalu confirmed that the international community would continue to support Afghanistan past 2014. “Estonia’s possible military contribution after 2014 depends on how we decide to go forward with our NATO allies. At this juncture, Estonia has decided to provide financial support to the Afghanistan army starting in 2014,” said Reinsalu.
On 12 February, Estonia’s Estcoy-15 infantry company handed over responsibility and patrol Pimon to the Afghanistan army and moved over to the large military base, Camp Bastion. Estcoy-15 fulfils manoeuvre company duties throughout Helmand province.