Operations abroad

Operations abroad

The Estonian Defence Forces have been active in operations abroad since participating in the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) mission Croatia in 1995. The first combat experiences for the Estonian military were gained from Iraq in 2003.

Guarding Peace Across the Globe

Since 1995, the Estonian Defence Forces have actively contributed to international peace and security, beginning with a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Croatia. Our first combat experience came in 2003 during operations in Iraq.

Committed to Peacekeeping

Estonian troops participate in international missions with one clear goal: to safeguard peace. We support our allies with the understanding that they will support us in return if needed. These operations also offer our personnel valuable experience in high-pressure, complex environments.

Respected Among Allies

Estonian service members are known for their professionalism and dedication. Any career soldier who meets the required standards can apply to take part in foreign operations.

Mandated by the Parliament

The scope of Estonia’s participation—such as the size of deployed units—is determined by the Riigikogu (the Estonian Parliament).

NATO Mission Iraq (NMI)

NATO Mission Iraq is a non-combat training and advisory mission founded on partnership and inclusivity as well as on full respect for Iraq’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
The mission develops a self-sustaining Iraqi training capability by training Iraqi trainers on a variety of disciplines. It also aims to help Iraq build and sustain more effective, transparent and inclusive national security structures and institutions.
The direction to launch a new training mission in Iraq called NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) was issued by Allied leaders at the NATO Summit in Brussels in July 2018. The mission was established in Baghdad in October 2018.

The Estonian Defence Forces support the mission with one staff officer.

Official website of the mission

EUNAVFOR ASPIDES (Red Sea region)

The European Union military operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, launched in response to the Red Sea crisis, aims to achieve maritime presence and situational awareness in the area of operations and to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea in cooperation with like-minded maritime security actors. The main tasks of the operation are to protect vessels from attack and to escort them throughout the area of operations, thereby ensuring the security of vessels and freedom of navigation. The ultimate objective of the operation is to restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea region. The operation is strictly defensive in natuure – no offensive strikes will be conducted, including against land targets.

Estonia is participating in the European Union operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES with one member of the Defence Forces.

EUNAVFOR MED/IRINI (Mediterranean Sea)

EUNAVFOR Med (European Union Naval Force Mediterranean) operation IRINI is a European Union’s military operation on the Mediterranean Sea. IRINI serves a continuation of the now-concluded mission SOPHIA which was launched in 2015 with the objective to restrain human trafficking between Libya and Europe.

In March 2020, EU launched operation IRINI to support the enforcement of the UN arms embargo on Libya. The mission is therefore mandated to carry out inspections of vessels off the coast of Libya suspected to be carrying arms to and from Libya. In addition, the operation is to support the application of UN measures to prohibit the illegal export of crude oil from Libya, and the training and building up of the Libyan navy and border guard.

The Estonian Defence Forces support the mission with one staff officer.

By taking part of the mission, Estonia solidarily with other EU countries contributes to common military missions and managing the immigration crisis. Estonia has been taking part of the EUNAVFOR MED missions since 2015.

Official website of the mission

EUMAM Mozambique

EUMAM Mozambique (European Union Military Assistance Mission Mozambique) is a continuation of the successful European Union Training Mission in Mozambique (EUTM Mozambique) which was launched by the Council of Europe.

Estonia contributes in this mission since December 2021. The Estonian Defence Forces support the mission with one staff officer.

The EUMAM Mozambique mission helps the Quick Reaction Forces of the Mozambican Armed Forces achieve a sustainable operational cycle in accordance with International Humanitarian Law, incorporating advising, mentoring, and specialized training.

Official website of the operation

UNTSO (Middle-East)

UNTSO (the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization) was the very first peacekeeping mission established by the United Nations. Since 1948 UNTSO Military Observers have been in the Middle East to monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating and assist other United Nations peacekeeping operations in the region. Since 1997 Estonian officers have participated in UNTSO as military observers.

The Estonian Defence Forces support the mission with one officer.

Estonian observers are serving in rotations in Israel, Lebanon and Syria. The yearlong mission consists of patrols, manning observation posts and staff work.

Official website of the mission

UNIFIL (Lebanon)

UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) is a UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. It is mandated to monitor the cessation of hostilities; accompany and support the Lebanese Armed Forces as they deploy throughout the south of Lebanon, and coordinate its activities with the Governments of Lebanon and Israel. The mission also aims to ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons.

The Estonian Defence Forces support the mission with one staff officer.

Until 2019 Estonian Defence Forces infantry platoon, NSE and staff officers served in Lebanon. From Estonia’s perspective, contributing to UNIFIL helps to restore peace and security specifically in the Middle East as well internationally.
From December 1996 to May 1997 Estonian detachment to UNIFIL was an infantry company as a part of the Norwegian battalion.

Official website of the mission

Operations since 1995

Central African Republic

EUFOR RCA 05.2014 – 08.2014

Mediterranean Sea

NATO Active Endeavour / Ocean Shield 03.2013 – 06.2013
EUNAVFOR MED 08.2015– …

Mali

EUTM Mali 03.2013 – 11.2022
MINUSMA 09.2013– 11.2022
BARKHANE 08.2018– 06.2022

Horn of Africa

EUNAVFOR Somalia / operation ATALANTA 12.2010 – 05.2013

Iraq

Iraqi Freedom 06.2003–2009
NTM-I 02.2005–11.2011
Inherent Resolve 08.2016—09.2025
NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) 10.2018–…

Macedonia

EU military operation Concordia 05.2003–12.2003

Afghanistan

ISAF 03.2003 – 12.2014
Resolute Support 01.2015– 06.2021

Kosovo

KFOR 11.1999 – 10.2018

Israel, Syria

UNTSO 03.1997 – …

Lebanon

UNIFIL 12.1996–05.1997
UNIFIL 05.2015– …

Bosnia and Herzegovina

IFOR, SFOR 04.1996–11.2004
NATO HQ Sarajevo 12.2004–06.2005
EUFOR ALTHEA 12.2005–12.2011

Croatia

UNPROFOR 03.1995–10.1995

Guarding Peace Across the Globe

Committed to Peacekeeping

Respected Among Allies

Mandated by the Parliament

Current operations

Central African Republic

EUFOR RCA 05.2014 – 08.2014

Mediterranean Sea

NATO Active Endeavour / Ocean Shield 03.2013 – 06.2013

Mali

EUTM Mali 03.2013 – 11.2022

MINUSMA 09.2013– 11.2022

BARKHANE 08.2018– 06.2022

Horn of Africa

EUNAVFOR Somalia / operation ATALANTA 12.2010 – 05.2013

Iraq

Iraqi Freedom 06.2003–2009

NTM-I 02.2005–11.2011

Inherent Resolve 08.2016—09.2025

Macedonia

EU military operation Concordia 05.2003–12.2003

Afghanistan

ISAF 03.2003 – 12.2014

Resolute Support 01.2015– 06.2021

Kosovo

KFOR 11.1999 – 10.2018

Israel, Syria

Lebanon

UNIFIL 12.1996–05.1997

Bosnia and Herzegovina

IFOR, SFOR 04.1996–11.2004

NATO HQ Sarajevo 12.2004–06.2005

EUFOR ALTHEA 12.2005–12.2011

Croatia

UNPROFOR 03.1995–10.1995

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