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Estonia intends to deploy up to 25 members of the defense forces to the NATO follow-up mission in Afghanistan, including up to 15 members of the special forces.
Estonia to contribute up to 25 troops to Afghanistan follow-up mission
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The Ministry of Defense is seeking opinions on a bill according to which Estonia is to deploy up to 25 members of the defense forces to the NATO follow-up mission in Afghanistan, of whom up to 15 would be members of the special forces and up to 10 would be active servicemen and mine clearing experts.
The parliament has to approve the mission.
The purpose of the follow-up mission is primarily to support Afghanistan's institutions and help them with experience, expertise and training
According to the covering letter of the bill Estonia is planning to take part in the mission with up to 25 active servicemen, 10 of whom would serve in North Afghanistan. Estonia is also planning to take part in the mission with up to 15 personnel of the special forces who would continue to work together with the U.S. special forces.
The defense forces' operating expenses in Afghanistan are planned to total about 77,000 euros.
Most NATO forces are to withdraw from Afghanistan this year, leaving 9,800 U.S. troops behind. The total number of troops in the U.S.-led mission at the start of next year will be about 12,500, with the remainder coming from other allied nations.