NATO Force Integration Unit Estonia (NFIU EST)

The NFIU’s mission is to assist and facilitate the rapid deployment and sustainment of NATO and other Allied forces in Estonia, to improve the Alliance’s response capability, whilst ensuring a permanent, visible, forward NATO presence in the east of SACEUR’s area of responsibility from peacetime through crisis to conflict. The NFIU acts as the main conduit between the Estonian Defence Force and NATO.

Main tasks

• Planning and coordination necessary for receiving allies
• Assessment and development of logistical and infrastructural readiness
• Preparation, coordination and implementation of multinational military training and exercises
• Cooperation with the Estonian Defense Forces, NATO allies, and international partners
• Contribution to wider Situational Awareness and Understanding and sustainment of Allied Combat Power.
• Support and involvement in all phases of the planning process as directed by JLSG, including fostering coherence with national defence plans
• Support Article V operations, planning and exercises, including fostering coherence with national defence planning

• Support to Non-Article V operations, where appropriate, and agreed by Nations

NFIU in Estonia is a platoon-sized unit that includes Estonian personnel as well as allies from the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom and Hungary. The international team works daily to strengthen the region’s defense capabilities and ensure NATO’s presence in Estonia. NFIU is an integral part of NATO’s deterrence and defense strategy and symbolizes the alliance’s commitment to the security of Estonia and the entire region.

The creation of NFIUs was decided at the 2014 NATO summit in Wales, when the Readiness Action Plan (RAP) was adopted. This also increased NATO’s rapid response capability, pre-positioning necessary weapons and equipment on the eastern flank, and adapting NATO’s command structure to the changed security situation. This was part of NATO’s broader strategy to strengthen the capabilities of its allies and accelerate the deployment of response forces in the Baltic states and Central and Eastern Europe. Currently, there are NFIU’s in eight countries: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria.

NFIU Estonia celebrates its birthday on June 15. Since its establishment in 2015, the Unit has contributed significantly to strengthening cooperation between Estonia and NATO and to the rapid and effective integration of allies in Estonia.