Äike
11-20-2010, 05:52 PM
Nordic Battlegroup Streamlines Deployment Procedure (http://news.err.ee/politics/ca511176-e733-416f-95bf-43201533e2a4)
Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo and Commander of the Defense Forces Lt. Gen. Ants Laaneots took part in a political exercise of the EU Nordic Battlegroup on November 17 in Enköping, Sweden, where they practiced decisionmaking for deployment operations.
According to the exercise scenario, the Battlegroup was to be sent to an operation in a fictitious small country in Africa.
EU Battlegroups are rapid-reaction units that can respond within 15 days upon crisis and must stand prepared for operations lasting up to 120 days. The Battlegroups are intended to act primarily upon UN request and under unanimous EU mandate, to fulfill humanitarian, rescue and peacekeeping duties. Two EU Battlegroups are prepared to act at all times.
The Nordic Battlegroup, which includes 2,200 Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Irish and Estonian personnel, will take over standby operations in the first six months of 2011. Estonia's 55-member contribution includes a force protection platoon, staff officers, an intelligence team. The units of the Battlegroup were trained for joint operations during two exercises in October and November in Sweden.
Previously, Estonia participated in the Nordic Battlegroup in 2008. The EU has never yet deployed a Battlegroup for operation.
Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo and Commander of the Defense Forces Lt. Gen. Ants Laaneots took part in a political exercise of the EU Nordic Battlegroup on November 17 in Enköping, Sweden, where they practiced decisionmaking for deployment operations.
According to the exercise scenario, the Battlegroup was to be sent to an operation in a fictitious small country in Africa.
EU Battlegroups are rapid-reaction units that can respond within 15 days upon crisis and must stand prepared for operations lasting up to 120 days. The Battlegroups are intended to act primarily upon UN request and under unanimous EU mandate, to fulfill humanitarian, rescue and peacekeeping duties. Two EU Battlegroups are prepared to act at all times.
The Nordic Battlegroup, which includes 2,200 Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Irish and Estonian personnel, will take over standby operations in the first six months of 2011. Estonia's 55-member contribution includes a force protection platoon, staff officers, an intelligence team. The units of the Battlegroup were trained for joint operations during two exercises in October and November in Sweden.
Previously, Estonia participated in the Nordic Battlegroup in 2008. The EU has never yet deployed a Battlegroup for operation.