Defense and Armed Forces Overview

Coat of Arms of the Estonian Defense Force

Eesti Kaitsevägi
(Estonian Defense Force)

Date Founded: November 12, 1918; September 3, 1991 (current form)

Minimum Age Required to Serve: 18

Conscription: 8 or 11 months for all physically and mentally healthy male citizens

Service Branches

The Estonian Defense Forces consist of the Estonian Land Forces, Estonian Navy, Estonian Air Force, and Estonian Defense League.

Emblem of the Estonian Land Forces

Maavägi
(Estonian Land Forces)

Leadership: Commander of the Estonian Land Forces

Estonian Land Forces is the land-based branch of the Estonian Defense Forces.

Emblem of the Estonian Navy

Merevägi
(Estonian Navy)

Leadership: Commander of the Estonian Navy

The Estonian Navy is the maritime branch of the Estonian Defense Forces.

Emblem of the Estonian Air Force

Õhuvägi
(Estonian Air Force)

Leadership: Commander of the Estonian Air Force

The Estonia Air Force is the aviation branch of the Estonian Defense Forces.

Emblem of Estonian Defense League

Eesti Kaitseliit
(Estonian Defense League)

Leadership: Commander of the Estonian Defense League

The Estonian Defense League is the country's unified paramilitary armed forces. It is responsible for preserving the independence and sovereignty of Estonia as well as the integrity of its territory and constitutional order.