NATO may deploy the German-Dutch Allied Corps to Estonia, with the coastal city of Pärnu under consideration as its base, Estonia’s Ministry of Defense announced. A final decision on the matter is expected later this year.
This was reported by ERR on August 2.
Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur described the potential deployment as part of NATO’s broader strategic framework for the Baltic region, which would involve establishing infrastructure to support a contingent of 100 to 200 personnel, including headquarters facilities, technical buildings, and communications systems.
“This will affect not only our allied command personnel but also Estonian service members, including conscripts. It is a strategically important step for our Defense Forces,” Pevkur stated.
Pärnu is being considered due to its strong logistical advantages—proximity to a port, airfield, railway, and highway, as well as its location near Riga. The city’s mayor, Romek Kosenkranius, welcomed the possibility of hosting the corps, highlighting the potential local impact.
“This would allow us to organize conscript service here and create jobs for professional soldiers,” Kosenkranius said.
Earlier, it was reported that Estonia started strengthening security infrastructure at the Narva border crossing with Russia. Construction at the checkpoint is underway to improve control capabilities amid heightened regional security concerns.
Related articles