The Commander-in-Chief of the Estonian Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Riho Terras, is of the opinion that NATO’s decision to deploy one battalion of ground forces to Poland and one to the Baltic countries is insufficient and that more thought should be given to strengthening deterrent forces at sea and in the air, Postimees reported.

Terras made this statement at the meeting with the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe of NATO Allied Command Operations, General Curtis Scaparrotti, that took place in Brussels.

“The importance of increasing not only allied troops but also activities at sea and in the air was stressed at the bilateral meeting,” the press service of the General Staff of Estonian Defense Forces reported. The Commander-in-Chief of the Estonian Defense Forces proposed specific options.

“Trust and permanent deterrence are required in all domains but not only at the level of ground forces. The NATO mission on protection of airspace at Ämari Air Base could be the standard of cooperation. In addition, the participation of Patriot missile batteries at the exercises in Estonia is also welcomed from the military point of view,” Terras said.

The General called the Alliance's decision to deploy troops to the Baltic countries extremely important.

“When a year ago, we, together with the Commanders-in-Chief of the Lithuanian and Latvian Armed Forces requested the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe of NATO Allied Command Operations to deploy one battalion of NATO troops to Poland and one to the Baltic countries, at first sight many people found this unnecessary and challenging. Now it has become a reality under the leadership of Curtis Scaparrotti and all our allies are fully aware that it is an important step towards the strengthening of defense and the Alliance deterrent forces,” Terras stated.

As previously reported, the Defense Ministers of NATO members states agreed to the deployment of four multinational battalions on a rotational basis in Poland and the Baltic countries.

  NATO, Estonia

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