Defense forces see drastic reform

2009-01-02
TBT Staff in cooperation with BNS

TALLINN - As of the beginning of the year, the Estonian Defense Forces have begun to undergo a series of drastic organizational changes.

The changes will include changing the duties of -- and in some cases renaming -- the Defense Forces' structural units.

The defense forces generalstaff, heads of the armed services, the defense forcesLogistics Center and the Logistics Battalion subordinated to the former, the Estonian National Defense College, the Defense Forces Battle School, staff, communication and reconnaissance battalions stand in direct subordination to the defense forces commander.

Besides, the military police, a new structural unitinstead of a former department of the general staff, theinternal auditor and and the inspector-general are in the defense forces commander's direct subordination.

At the command level the biggest change is in the landforces where defense areas will be fully developed. Thecommand will be largely concentrated to defense area andbrigade levels. The headquarters of the area will gain aspecial place on the territorial principle.