The United States will deploy additional infantry troops to Estonia “in the coming weeks” to enhance defenses on NATO’s eastern flank, Estonian defense officials said Thursday.
The deployment consists of a U.S. infantry company — a unit typically consisting of 80 to 250 soldiers, Estonia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement. In addition, US will deploy High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), as well as associated command and control equipment and systems.
“This decision marks a significant enhancement of the U.S. rotational military presence in Estonia and the Baltic States, demonstrating the U.S.' long-standing commitment to the security of our region and greatly enhancing NATO’s posture,” Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said.
Just last week Estonia announced that it would acquire HIMARS to boost its defense capabilities in its largest arms procurement project, worth more than $200 million.
In a separate statement, the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn said that the American troops are part of NATO’s enhanced rotational troop deployments agreed at the military alliance’s Madrid summit earlier this year.
