DOCSLIB.ORG

Newsletter for the Baltics Week 10 2018

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Newsletter for the Baltics Week 10 2018 Royal Danish Embassy T. Kosciuskos 36, LT-01100 Vilnius Tel: +370 (5) 264 8768 Mob: +370 6995 7760 The Defence Attaché To Fax: +370 (5) 231 2300 Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania Newsletter for the Baltics Week 10 2018 The following information is gathered from usually reliable and open sources, mainly from the Baltic News Service (BNS), respective defence ministries press releases and websites as well as various newspapers, etc. Table of contents THE BALTICS ........................................................................................................................................ 3 Vilnius meeting with Polish Prime Minister to focus on joint projects, and security matters .... 3 Baltic foreign ministers warn US not to underestimate Russian threat ...................................... 3 Baltic ministers, in US, voice concern over possible trade wars- Security and defence ............. 4 Lithuanian Defence Minister thanks Nordic countries for their support .................................... 4 THE BALTICS AND RUSSIA .................................................................................................................. 5 Russia has military advantage over NATO in Baltic Sea region .................................................... 5 Russia’s isolation in combination with its militarisation is creating an environment which could suddenly explode ............................................................................................................................ 5 NATO aircraft scrambled 4 times from Lithuania last week over Russian aircraft ..................... 6 Putin’s announcement about Russian missiles is a signal to the West and part of his election campaign ......................................................................................................................................... 6 LITHUANIA .......................................................................................................................................... 7 Lithuanian army launches international offer for modular buildings for new artillery battalion .......................................................................................................................................................... 7 German Chief of Defence visited Lithuania ................................................................................... 7 Decisions on Baltic air defence must be made faster ................................................................... 8 Lithuanian President urges parties to seek new deal on defence funding ................................. 8 Lithuania’s Defence Minister again subjected to fake news ........................................................ 9 LATVIA ............................................................................................................................................... 10 We are interested in a persistent U.S. military presence in the Baltics and Poland ................. 10 Russian officers conduct arms control inspection in Latvia ....................................................... 10 Security Police ask to prosecute Latvian citizen for spying for Russia ...................................... 10 Murniece urges closer cooperation with Eastern Partnership countries in fighting disinformation ................................................................................................................................ 11 ESTONIA ............................................................................................................................................. 11 Estonian Defence Minister stresses importance of allied forces’ response time at meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defence .............................................................................................................. 11 British Army to deploy four helicopters to Estonia ..................................................................... 12 Estonia: Kaitseliit, allies to stage defence activity training exercise on Muhu island ................ 12 Estonia, Poland to sign accord on protection of classified information.....................................13 EDF’s intelligence chief: Russian military industry cannot compete with NATO .......................13 Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) to buy artillery ammunition for EUR 54 million ...................... 14 2 THE BALTICS Vilnius meeting with Polish Prime Minister to focus on joint projects, and security matters 9 March, the Prime Ministers of Lithuania, Poland, Latvia and Estonia are meeting in Vilnius to discuss joint projects, security matters, the rule of law in Poland and additional support to Ukraine. The bilateral meeting between Lithuania’s Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis and his Polish counterpart, Mateusz Morawiecki, will address the implementation of a project for synchronising the Baltic power grids with the western European system. Furthermore, they will discuss the course of the Via Baltica, Rail Baltica and Gas Interconnector Poland-Lithuania (GIPL) infrastructure projects of regional significance, as well as on enhancing economic and trade cooperation to further boost regional security. A trilateral meeting of the Prime Ministers of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia will take place within the framework of the Baltic Council of Ministers, with the Polish Prime Minister expected to join the meeting later. The four-country meeting will focus on regional security ahead of the NATO summit, relations with Eastern neighbours and additional support to Ukraine. Baltic foreign ministers warn US not to underestimate Russian threat 6 March, the Foreign Ministers of the Baltic countries urged the United States to avoid underestimating the threat originating from Russia and not to respond naively to it. In an interview with AFP after their joint meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the ministers shared their concerns about Russia’s “hybrid” threat to the West. “I think what we have seen in the past four or three years is the community of democratic nations is under the attack,” Rinkevics said of Russian interference and interventions. “The very basis of our democratic institutions are under attack through social media by fake news, and also through the influence of money, and it is very important that we stick together,” he said. All three ministers agreed that they would like to see US troops based more permanently in the Baltics, alongside their British, Canadian and German allies 3 Baltic ministers, in US, voice concern over possible trade wars- Security and defence 6 March, Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius spoke during the meeting with Tillerson in Washington, where he voiced his expectations for a more active US military presence in the region. After Russia annexed Ukraine’s region of Crimea in 2014, the US immediately sent several hundreds of troops to each Baltic country. The American companies were withdrawn following the deployment of NATO’s multinational battalions in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia and US troops now come for training from neighbouring Poland. “We underlined that we are very grateful for what is happening, but we would like to see a permanent presence -- either in the form of training or visits or exercises,” the Lithuanian minister said. Linkevicius also said that he had presented a Lithuania-proposed plan for EU financial aid for Ukraine to Tillerson, dubbed as the “Marshall plan”. The need for coordinating US and EU sanctions on Russia was also discussed during the meeting. Lithuanian Defence Minister thanks Nordic countries for their support 5 March, Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis said in a meeting with a delegation of the Nordic Council Conservative group that “The Nordic countries and Lithuania are connected by a long and particularly close cooperation, they are not only a role model to Lithuania but also reliable allies in the region.” The Minister thanked the Nordic countries for the support in the Baltic region. Norwegian and Danish forces are serving with the NATO enhanced Forward Presence in Lithuania and Estonia, where Iceland’s civilian personnel are also contributing. Danish air detachment is carrying out the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states from Šiauliai Air Base at the moment, and a Danish officer has been heading the NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU), a NATO headquarters operating in Lithuania, for several years now. Karoblis invited the discussion on the possibilities of Finland’s and Sweden’s troops training with the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion in the Baltic States in order to ensure an effective interaction of military forces in the region. At the meeting Karoblis and representatives from 4 the Nordic countries discussed security situation in the region, countries’ efforts to strengthen defence capabilities and support to partners. “Ukraine defends NATO’s borderline, therefore a strong and unified Ukraine is in our interest. Lithuania will continue supporting Ukraine. We are prepared to work side by side with the Nordic countries in strengthening the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the minister said. The MPs of the Nordic countries were interested in the changes of cyber security in Lithuania: they were briefed on Lithuania’s achievements in cyber-security, activity of the National Cyber Security Centre, and Lithuania’s initiative to form joint cyber rapid response force in EU framework, during a meeting with Vice Minister of National Defence Edvinas Kerza. THE BALTICS AND RUSSIA Russia has military advantage over NATO in
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Baltic Republics
    FINNISH DEFENCE STUDIES THE BALTIC REPUBLICS A Strategic Survey Erkki Nordberg National Defence College Helsinki 1994 Finnish Defence Studies is published under the auspices of the National Defence College, and the contributions reflect the fields of research and teaching of the College. Finnish Defence Studies will occasionally feature documentation on Finnish Security Policy. Views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily imply endorsement by the National Defence College. Editor: Kalevi Ruhala Editorial Assistant: Matti Hongisto Editorial Board: Chairman Prof. Mikko Viitasalo, National Defence College Dr. Pauli Järvenpää, Ministry of Defence Col. Antti Numminen, General Headquarters Dr., Lt.Col. (ret.) Pekka Visuri, Finnish Institute of International Affairs Dr. Matti Vuorio, Scientific Committee for National Defence Published by NATIONAL DEFENCE COLLEGE P.O. Box 266 FIN - 00171 Helsinki FINLAND FINNISH DEFENCE STUDIES 6 THE BALTIC REPUBLICS A Strategic Survey Erkki Nordberg National Defence College Helsinki 1992 ISBN 951-25-0709-9 ISSN 0788-5571 © Copyright 1994: National Defence College All rights reserved Painatuskeskus Oy Pasilan pikapaino Helsinki 1994 Preface Until the end of the First World War, the Baltic region was understood as a geographical area comprising the coastal strip of the Baltic Sea from the Gulf of Danzig to the Gulf of Finland. In the years between the two World Wars the concept became more political in nature: after Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania obtained their independence in 1918 the region gradually became understood as the geographical entity made up of these three republics. Although the Baltic region is geographically fairly homogeneous, each of the newly restored republics possesses unique geographical and strategic features.
    [Show full text]
  • World Air Forces Flight 2011/2012 International
    SPECIAL REPORT WORLD AIR FORCES FLIGHT 2011/2012 INTERNATIONAL IN ASSOCIATION WITH Secure your availability. Rely on our performance. Aircraft availability on the flight line is more than ever essential for the Air Force mission fulfilment. Cooperating with the right industrial partner is of strategic importance and key to improving Air Force logistics and supply chain management. RUAG provides you with new options to resource your mission. More than 40 years of flight line management make us the experienced and capable partner we are – a partner you can rely on. RUAG Aviation Military Aviation · Seetalstrasse 175 · P.O. Box 301 · 6032 Emmen · Switzerland Legal domicile: RUAG Switzerland Ltd · Seetalstrasse 175 · P.O. Box 301 · 6032 Emmen Tel. +41 41 268 41 11 · Fax +41 41 260 25 88 · [email protected] · www.ruag.com WORLD AIR FORCES 2011/2012 CONTENT ANALYSIS 4 Worldwide active fleet per region 5 Worldwide active fleet share per country 6 Worldwide top 10 active aircraft types 8 WORLD AIR FORCES World Air Forces directory 9 TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FLIGHTGLOBAL INSIGHT AND REPORT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, CONTACT: Flightglobal Insight Quadrant House, The Quadrant Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5AS, UK Tel: + 44 208 652 8724 Email:LQVLJKW#ÁLJKWJOREDOFRP Website: ZZZÁLJKWJOREDOFRPLQVLJKt World Air Forces 2011/2012 | Flightglobal Insight | 3 WORLD AIR FORCES 2011/2012 The French and Qatari air forces deployed Mirage 2000-5s for the fight over Libya JOINT RESPONSE Air arms around the world reacted to multiple challenges during 2011, despite fleet and budget cuts. We list the current inventories and procurement plans of 160 nations.
    [Show full text]
  • AVIATION REGULATION of the ESTONIAN DEFENCE FORCES Regulation of the Minister of Defence Passed 18 October 2019, Entered Into Force 25 October 2019
    NB! Unofficial translation AVIATION REGULATION OF THE ESTONIAN DEFENCE FORCES Regulation of the Minister of Defence Passed 18 October 2019, entered into force 25 October 2019 This Regulation is established on the basis of subsection 72 (3) of the Aviation Act. Chapter 1 General Provisions § 1. Scope and Area of Application (1) This Regulation establishes the requirements for the organisation of military aviation by the Estonian Defence Forces, including requirements for aircraft, the operation of aircraft, aviation security, military aviation facilities, military aviation personnel, and the procedure for investigating aviation accidents and incidents involving the aircraft of the Estonian Defence Forces. (2) This Regulation shall apply to all manned and unmanned aircraft entered into the Register of Military Aircraft. (3) This Regulation shall also apply to the armed forces of the Member States of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (hereinafter ‘NATO’) and other foreign countries, unless otherwise provided by an international treaty or some other international agreement. (4) This Regulation does not apply to temporary areas used for the take-off and landing of manned aircraft, unless otherwise specified in this Regulation. (5) Additional organisational specific requirements to this Regulation may be established by the Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces or a duly authorised person. § 2. Terms and Definitions The terms used in this Regulation shall be used in the following meaning: 1) ‘military aviation’ is one of the national
    [Show full text]
  • Maryland Line 2013, State Partnership Edition
    THE State Partnership Edition MarylandLINE Celebrating 20 Years with Estonia Celebrating 10 Years with Bosnia and Herzegovina OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE MARYLAND MILITARY DEPARTMENT Inside this issue: 8 6 9 12 10 LINE 18 22 16 20 Feature Stories Capt. Adolphus Houck makes his way across a northern Estonia waterfall during the Erna Raid 2007 competition in norther 14tests Soldiers’ skills and endurance over six grueling days of competition. 6 Maryland celebrates 12 4 Maryland Guard partners with LINE partnerships: Estonia & Bosnia and Herzegovina On The Bosnia and Herzegovina for peace, security 8 State of Maryland signs 10 Estonian Air Force pilots Memorandum with Estonia deploy with Maryland 9 Adjutant General Hosts Bosnian On the cover: National Guard Deputy Minister of Defense 12 Maryland Guard trains Maryland 16 The Forgotten Front Estonian Air Force pilots 13 Estonian Border Guard 20 Special Forces in Estonia Cross of Merit 24 State Partnership Program THE 22 Sabre Strike 2013 Governor: Contributors: Martin O’Malley Lt. Col. Charles Kohler 1st Lt. Kristofer Baumgartner Maj. Wade Minami A Maryland Army National Guard Sol- Adjutant General: dier sight opposing forces during the Capt. Joseph Winter Erna Raid 2007 military event in north- Maj. Gen. James A. Adkins Military Department 2nd Lt. Jessica Donnelly ern Estonia Aug. 9, 2007. Maryland National Guard Staff Sgt. Thaddeus Harrington Public Affairs Office Staff Sgt. John Higgins The Ambassador and BiH Minister Design & Layout: Fifth Regiment Armory Spc. Loni Kingston of Defense signed a Memorandum of 29th Division St. Understanding confirming continued Assembled from past Baltimore, Md. 21201 Spc Kieth Muckler (AF) Staff Sgt.
    [Show full text]
  • Estonian Defence Forces' Annual Report 2020
    Annual Report 2020 ESTONIAN DEFENSE FORCES ANNUAL REPORT 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD || Lt. Gen. Martin Herem 4 RUSSIA’S SECURITY POLICY AND MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS || Military Intelligence Centre 6 FIGHTING THE PANDEMIC || Maj. Indrek Olveti 16 NATO MULTINATIONAL DIVISION NORTH || Command Sgt. Maj. Andreas Rebane 20 ESTONIA AND ALLIES 24 SWIFT AND BOLD – 5 RIFLES IN ESTONIA || Björn Malmquist 34 STRONG BOND CEMENTED || Maj. Allan Møller-Petersen 36 LESSONS FROM THE EXERCISE SPRING STORM || Maj. Gen. Indrek Sirel 38 ESTONIA RECEIVES NEW RIFLES || Ramil Lipp 42 SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY K9 THUNDER 46 MILITARY FIELD HOSPITAL DEPLOYS IN KURESSAARE || Maj. Helena Roon 50 US DRONES IN ESTONIA || Lt. Col. Kristo Lipasaar 52 NEW WINDS FOR THE NAVY || Commodore Jüri Saska 56 Soldier from the Viru ESTONIAN SPECIAL FORCES IN MALI || Lt. Col. Margus Kuul 62 Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Brigade, looks out from a trench at the MILITARY SERVICE 64 central training ground near Tapa, Estonia, May 7. EDF photo by Junior THE FUTURE BELONGS TO ROBOTIC SYSTEMS || Gert D. Hankewitz 66 Sgt. Jaan Vanaaseme 3 TO THE READER LT. GEN. MARTIN HEREM Commander, Estonian Defense Forces ou are holding the year 2020 of the Estonian Defense Forces. While these reports include a lot about the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains only a «flavor» of our activities. The short Yglances in the annual report focus on the development of our military that contin- ued in spite of the virus. We were unable to conduct snap exer- cises to our reservists, the type of exercises usually measure the quality and efficiency of our activities.
    [Show full text]
  • Estonia: Long Term Defence Development Plan2009-2018
    Estonian Long Term Defence Development Plan 2009 – 2018 Dear reader, 3 Dear reader, National defence documents 4 On 22 January 2009, the Government of the Republic of How was the Plan 2018 drafted? 5 Estonia approved the “Estonian Long Term Defence Deve- Which capabilities will be developed 2009 – 2018? 7 lopment Plan 2009 – 2018” (hereafter Plan 2018), which Communication and intelligence systems will improve Ämari Air Base will be transformed into a modern NATO airfi eld establishes the main development areas of the Estonian Air defence will improve signifi cantly Defence Forces for the next decade. Below you will fi nd an Infantry brigade as the spearhead of the Army overview of how the Plan 2018 was drafted, what will be Mechanised units will improve combat capability the main capability development areas and which invest- Further upgrading of anti-tank capabilities The voluntary Defence League as a broad and effective military organisation ments will follow. Navy keeps its focus on mine countermeasures capabilities To reach the goals of Estonia’s national defence, our defence policy is The Air Force will receive tactical transportation capability based on principles as agreed by the Parliament in June 2004: indivisi- bility of security, solidarity and cooperation, credible military deterrence, Where will the defence forces be located and what kind unity of national defence and total defence, collective security, support to of infrastructure will there be? 11 development of European Union capabilities in the framework of Euro- pean Security and Defence Policy and taking part in ESDP; and democra- What will be the size of the Estonian Defence Forces? 12 tic control of Estonian Defence Forces.
    [Show full text]
  • U.S. European Command
    U.S. European Command Communication and Engagement Directorate - Media Operations Division Comm: +49 (0) 711 680 6868/6618/8010 / DSN: 314-430-6868/6618/8010 [email protected] www.facebook.com/eucom www.twitter.com/us_eucom www.instagram.com/us_eucom EUCOM DVIDS Hub: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/EUCOM#.VQBztSz_7Gw European Security/DoD Specials Page: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2014/0514_atlanticresolve/ OPERATION ATLANTIC RESOLVE (SEPTEMBER 2015) Operation Atlantic Resolve is a demonstration of our continued commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to the enduring peace and stability in the region, in light of the Russian intervention in Ukraine specifically. U.S. commitment to the security of every NATO ally is resolute and uniform. In meeting our global security commitments, the United States must have strong, committed and capable allies, which is why we have fought, exercised and trained with our European allies for the past 70 years. The U.S.-European strategic partnership is built on a foundation of shared values, experiences and vision. The U.S. took several immediate steps to demonstrate solidarity with our NATO allies, such as augmenting the air, ground and naval presence in the region, and enhancing previously scheduled exercises. Russia's aggressive actions have already led many to call for reinforcing NATO's readiness through Article 5-related planning training and adjustments to force posture. Operation Atlantic Resolve will remain in place as long as the need exists to reassure our allies and deter Russia from regional hegemony. European Reassurance Initiative ERI is part of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015, signed by President Obama on December 19, 2014, included $985 million in ERI funds.
    [Show full text]
  • Air Defence of the Baltic States
    Report Air Defence of the Baltic States | Sir Christopher Harper | Tony Lawrence | Sven Sakkov | M ay 2018 Title: Air Defence of the Baltic States Authors: Harper, Sir Christopher; Lawrence, Tony; Sakkov, Sven Publication date: May 2018 Category: Report Photo credit: Estonian Defence Forces (pildid.mil.ee) and TPS-77 MRR taken in Ventspils, Latvia during Site Acceptance Test, U.S. Army, 22nd mobile public affairs detachment Keywords: Air defence, air power, capability development, defence cooperation, Baltic states Disclaimer: The views and opinions contained in this report are those of its authors only and do not necessarily represent the positions of the International Centre for Defence and Security. As the work of an independent think tank, this report does not present positions or policies of the Estonian Gov- ernment. ISSN 2228-0529 ISBN 978-9949-7255-2-6 (PDF) ISBN 978-9949-7255-1-9 (PRINT) ©International Centre for Defence and Security 63/4 Narva Rd., 10152 Tallinn, Estonia [email protected], www.icds.ee Air Defence of the Baltic States I Foreword Europe currently faces the greatest set of external risks to its security since the end of the Cold War. Instability to our south requires our constant engagement and brings the challenges of migration and terrorism to our borders. Chapters that we had thought closed – such as Afghanistan and the Western Balkans – demand our renewed attention. To our east, a resurgent Russia is testing us on a range of fronts, and has reminded us once again that we need to be steadfast if we are to deter aggression and armed conflict on our continent.
    [Show full text]
  • ESTONIA Air Force.Pdf
    ESTONIA How to Become a Military Officer in the Estonian Armed Forces: The initial education and training of the officers of the Estonian Army, Navy and Air Force is primarily the role of the joint National Defence College. Even though the institution is joint, the education, and the vocational training upper than the basic military training, are not joint. Army, Navy and Air Force cadets follow different and specialised commissioning curricula. As a common point, however, every cadet must complete his or her professional higher education (1st level of higher education, equivalent to bachelor level) studies at the Defence College in order to be commissioned as an officer. The programme of these studies contains academic and vocational components that are indistinctively accredited as a single professional military curriculum. The Defence College also offers the opportunity to the Army officers to follow a two-year master programme early in their career (minimum 3 years of experience), as an intermediate curriculum. The initial vocational training, until the application level, is the product of the collaboration between the Defence College and the operational units themselves. It must be reminded, to this regard, that the compulsory conscript service can also be seen as an introductory military basic training before the beginning of the commissioning curriculum. AIR FORCE National Defence College (http://www.ksk.edu.ee/) Academic curricula Military specialisations Airfield Air operations Air Force units Professional Higher Education Air
    [Show full text]
  • Curriculum PHE Military Leadership (Air Force) 2020
    APPROVED By the Council of the ENDC on 02 April 2013 Amended by the Council of the ENDC 10th September 2013, 11th June 2014. 16th June 2015, 14th June 2016, 8th June 2017, 18th April 2018, 22nd April 2019 Last amended by the decision of the Council of the EMA on 21st May 2020 Name of the Curriculum in Sõjaväeline juhtimine õhuväes Estonian Name of the Curriculum in Military leadership for the air force English Level of Higher Education Professional higher education Studies Form of Study Regular studies (full-time), external studies Educational Institution Estonian Military Academy (EMA) Volume of Studies 180 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) Points Nominal Period of Study 3 years Field of Study National Defence Curriculum Reg. No. in EHIS 120243 Language of Instruction Estonian Other Languages Required for the Achievement of the English Curriculum Outcomes Approval and Registration of Registered in EHIS on 07th May 2013 the Curriculum in EHIS Approval of the Curriculum in Approved by the Council of the EMA on 21st May 2020 the Educational Institution Candidate Requirements Estonian citizenship, secondary education, eligibility for active service, taking entrance tests. Requirements for the Admission Completed compulsory military service, matriculation, to the Curriculum entering active service, posting in the Defence Forces, completion of an in-service training course Introduction to specialisation”. Major Specialisation and its Air Force Military Leadership (145 ECTS) Volume Within the Curriculum Specialisation Within the Air Operations, Airfield or Air Surveillance specialty (35 Curriculum ECTS) 1/48 Objectives of the Curriculum The aim of the this curriculum is to prepare basic junior officers for service in peacetime and wartime within the radar post, flights or squadrons in the Estonian Air Force subunits.
    [Show full text]
  • Air Force Association National Convention 2014
    Air Force Association National Convention 2014 Dignitaries including AFA Chairman of the Board George Muellner (front left), Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh (right), CMSAF James Cody (far left), and industry execu- tives formally open the Air Force Association’s Technology Exposition at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, Md. 70 AIR FORCE Magazine / November 2014 Air Force Association National Convention 2014 ore than 6,500 attendees gath- Air Force Band provided entertainment ered for the 2014 Air Force As- during the evening’s festivities. Msociation National Convention Thanks to fi nancial support from Lock- and the Air & Space Conference and heed Martin, the 12 Outstanding Airmen Technology Exposition, dedicating time attended events in and around Washington, to better understand Air Force issues. D.C., throughout the conference. The Top USAF leaders, such as Secretary of “golden dozen” toured Capitol Hill and the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Chief Arlington National Cemetery and visited of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, and the Pentagon. CMSAF James A. Cody, took the stage at The conference acknowledged the pro- the Gaylord National Resort and Conven- found challenges facing today’s US defense tion Center in National Harbor, Md., just complex and celebrated the achievements outside Washington, D.C. Secretary of of the airmen operating within it. The event Homeland Security Jeh C. Johnson, who concentrated its focus via military leaders was DOD general counsel from 2009 to and national defense and policy experts 2012, and Frank Kendall, undersecretary on subjects ranging from cyber, space, of defense for acquisition, technology, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnais- and logistics both gave A&SC keynote sance to nuclear and energy issues.
    [Show full text]
  • Estonian Long Term Defence Development Plan 2009 – 2018
    Estonian Long Term Defence Development Plan 2009 – 2018 Dear reader, 3 Dear reader, National defence documents 4 On 22 January 2009, the Government of the Republic of How was the Plan 2018 drafted? 5 Estonia approved the “Estonian Long Term Defence Deve- Which capabilities will be developed 2009 – 2018? 7 lopment Plan 2009 – 2018” (hereafter Plan 2018), which Communication and intelligence systems will improve Ämari Air Base will be transformed into a modern NATO airfi eld establishes the main development areas of the Estonian Air defence will improve signifi cantly Defence Forces for the next decade. Below you will fi nd an Infantry brigade as the spearhead of the Army overview of how the Plan 2018 was drafted, what will be Mechanised units will improve combat capability the main capability development areas and which invest- Further upgrading of anti-tank capabilities The voluntary Defence League as a broad and effective military organisation ments will follow. Navy keeps its focus on mine countermeasures capabilities To reach the goals of Estonia’s national defence, our defence policy is The Air Force will receive tactical transportation capability based on principles as agreed by the Parliament in June 2004: indivisi- bility of security, solidarity and cooperation, credible military deterrence, Where will the defence forces be located and what kind unity of national defence and total defence, collective security, support to of infrastructure will there be? 11 development of European Union capabilities in the framework of Euro- pean Security and Defence Policy and taking part in ESDP; and democra- What will be the size of the Estonian Defence Forces? 12 tic control of Estonian Defence Forces.
    [Show full text]