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1st Infantry Brigade

The 1st Infantry Brigade represents the main manoeuvre unit of the Estonian Defence Forces, which includes the majority of the units trained during the conscript service period.

The Scouts Battalion, an infantry battalion with rapid response capability and consisting wholly of professional servicemen, is also a part of the 1st Infantry Brigade. The unit has the capacity to co-operate with NATO forces.

The 1st Infantry Brigade includes:

The brigade’s troops are trained in different units and soldiers who have passed their service are assigned to the reserve after the training.

Contacts

Press and Media

First Lieutenant Marina Loštšina

Public Affairs Officer of the 1st Infantry Brigade

People

Colonel Andrus Merilo

Commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade

Sergeant Major Renzo Rajaste

Command Sergeant Major of the 1st Infantry Brigade

Brigade Units

Scoutspataljon Kevadtormil 18.05.2013

The Scouts Battalion is a professionally trained manoeuvre unit prepared for independent combat and having rapid response capability within the 1st Infantry Brigade. Tasks of the Scouts Battalion:

  • to defend the independence of the Republic of Estonia;
  • unit with a higher readiness level to participate in international operations led by NATO, the European Union or the UN;
  • domestic Estonian rapid response unit of a tactical group;
  • fulfilling Estonia’s obligations in BALTBALT.
Lieutenant Colonel Ranno Raudsik
Commander of the Scouts Battalion
[email protected]
+372 717 8100
Sergeant Major Kaido Õim
First Sergeant of the Scouts Battalion
 
First Lieutenant Marina Loštšina
Public Affairs Officer of the 1st Infantry Brigade
[email protected]
+372 5749 3057

The purpose of the Kalev Infantry Battalion is to train reserve manoeuvre and support units with combat power.

Major Argo Sibul
Commander of the Kalev Infantry Battalion
[email protected]
+372 717 8200
Sergeant Major Indrek Roosaar
Command Sergeant Major of the Kalev Infantry Battalion
 
First Lieutenant Marina Loštšina 
Public Affairs Officer of the 1st Infantry Brigade
[email protected]
+372 5749 3057

Kevadtorm 2019, 1. jalaväebrigaadi Kalevi ja Viru jalaväepataljoni lahinglaskmised, 11.-12.05.2019

Like the other structural units, conscript training in the Viru Infantry Battalion lasts for eight or eleven months. The main task of the unit is to train the infantry and antitank units’ enlisted command personnel of the wartime formations of the Defence Forces. The Viru Infantry Battalion has two main areas of training:

  • infantry training, which includes all technical specialisations in the infantry (gunners, medical orderlies, anti-tank missilemen, light mortar crew members, etc.);
  • anti-tank training, which provides training to the crew members of mid- and long-range antitank guided missile systems.
Major Viljar Laaneste
Commander of the Viru Infantry Battalion
[email protected]
+372 717 8300
Sergeant Major Indrek Ojasoo
Command Sergeant Major of the Viru Infantry Battalion
 
First Lieutenant Marina Loštšina
Public Affairs Officer of the 1st Infantry Brigade
[email protected]
+372 5749 3057

Õhutõrjepataljon harjutas Rutjal laskmist õhutõrjeraketisüsteemist Mistral, 08.05.2013

Air defence operations mean the deterring and destruction of the opponent’s air assault devices (planes, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles). Air Defence functions are fulfilled in the Defence Forces by means of on-ground weapon systems including missiles and guns. An overview of the activity in the airspace is relayed through radars and other equipment. The Air Defence Battalion conducts air defence training for conscripts – from the ranks of which air defence reserve units are formed for the Defence Forces – as well as for reservists, to refresh their specialised skills. Also, specialised basic and supplementary training is provided to active servicemen.

 

 Major Kristjan Leimann
Commander of the Air Defence Battalion
[email protected]
+372 717 8600
Master Sergeant Keith Tarakanov
Command Sergeant Major of the Air Defence Battalion
 
First Lieutenant Marina Loštšina
Public Affairs Officer of the 1st Infantry Brigade
[email protected]
+372 5749 3057

Pioneeripataljoni demo, 14.03.19

The task of the Combat Engineer Battalion in the Estonian Defence Forces is to block, slow down, complicate or stop the movement or manoeuvres of the opponent’s units and combat vehicles. The engineer units also need to ensure the mobility of their own units to facilitate the manoeuvres by means of creating access paths through obstacles and minefields and improving road conditions. Engineers build foxholes, trenches and lodging bunkers to improve the living conditions of single soldiers and units.

Lieutenant Colonel Priit Heinloo
Commander of the Combat Engineer Battalion
[email protected]
+372 717 8709
Sergeant Major Meelis Barbo
Command Sergeant Major of the Combat Enfineer Battalion
 
First Lieutenant Marina Loštšina
Public Affairs Officer of the 1st Infantry Brigade
[email protected]
+372 5749 3057

Lisaõppekogunemine Okas, 61. tagalapataljon, 15.-19.10.2019

The main task of the Combat Service Support Battalion is to prepare wartime troops from the ranks of conscripts to ensure the combat ability of the 1st Infantry Brigade. In peacetime it provides year-round support to the 1st Infantry Brigade Headquarters, its seven battalions and three single companies. If necessary, the civilian sector is aided with technology, equipment and training.
Tasks of the Combat Service Support Battalion:

  • management, planning and development in their area of responsibility;
  • organising the training of the personnel of its subordinate units;
  • preparing reserve units through the training of conscripts;
  • daily supply and servicing of the units in all areas of rear support services;
  • supplying international military operations in cooperation with the Support Command of the Defence Forces;
  • ensuring medical servicing of the 1st Infantry Brigade.
Lieutenant Colonel Vladislav Belov
Commander of the Combat Service Support Battalion
[email protected]
+372 717 8400
Sergeant Major Marek Mägi
Command Sergeant Major of the Combat Service Support Battalion
 
First Lieutenant Marina Loštšina
Public Affairs Officer of the 1st Infantry Brigade
[email protected]
+372 5749 3057

Staabi- ja sidekompanii

The Headquarters and Signal Company is a tactical unit within the 1st Infantry Brigade with the task of ensuring the uninterrupted operation and servicing of the Brigade’s command sites and the Brigade staff’s command support, physical security, basic rear support and communications with other command units. The Headquarters and Signal Company is a single company, with its commander reporting directly to the Commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade.

Captain Rasmus Seli
Commander of the Headquarters and Signal Company
[email protected]
+372 717 8000
Master Sergeant Renat Šupilov
Command Sergeant Major of the Headquarters and Signal Company
 
First Lieutenant Marina Loštšina
Public Affairs Officer of the 1st Infantry Brigade
[email protected]
+372 5749 3057

1. JvBr tankitõrjekompanii ja USA soomuskompanii koostööharjutus

The task of the Anti-Tank Company is to support the sub-units of the 1st Infantry Brigade in combat hot-spots and independent combat against the opponent’s armoured equipment. The Anti-Tank Company is a single company, with its commander reporting directly to the Commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade. The main peacetime task of the Anti-Tank Company is the training of non-comissioned officersl and specialists for anti-tank units.

Major Ragnar Rannamets
Commander of the Anti-Tank Company
[email protected]
+372 717 8300

Kevadtorm 2016, Luurekompanii võitlejad vaenlase tagalas, 17.05.2016

The Support and Signal Company is a tactical unit within the 1st Infantry Brigade with the task of ensuring the uninterrupted operation and servicing of the Brigade’s command sites and the Brigade staff’s command support, physical security, basic rear support and communications with other command units. The Support and Signal Company is a single company, with its commander reporting directly to the Commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade.

Last updated: 2. May 2023, 14:09

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