Estonian Mineships Division | |
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Active | 1997–2014 |
Country | Estonia |
Branch | Estonian Navy |
Type | Division |
Size | 350 personnel |
Garrison/HQ | Tallinn |
Anniversaries | 15 May 1997 |
The Estonian Mineships Division was the main Estonian Naval Unit and the part of Estonian Navy. The top priority for the Navy is the development of a mine countermeasures capability, as that is also one of the Navy's peacetime responsibilities: during World War I and II more than 80,000 sea mines were laid in the Baltic Sea. Since 1995 a number of mine clearance operations have been carried out in Estonian waters in close co-operation with other navies of the Baltic Sea region in order to find and dispose of ordnance and contribute to safe seagoing.[1] Estonian MCM vessels also participate in NATO naval exercises.