Estonia: No need for permanent NATO brigade: Defence Minister

Estonia does not need a permanent NATO brigade, Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur stated, ERR reports. He noted that Estonia already has more than 2,000 allied troops permanently stationed in the country. Estonian society would not be prepared for the construction of another large military training area in the country, he argued. Also, an additional deployment of a permanent brigade would mean building infrastructure and providing facilities for around 10,000 people, Pevkur pointed out. The minister said that Estonia’s primary interest was to use necessary resources to strengthen its own defence capabilities. However, if there was a real conflict, one brigade would not be enough, he added.