Estonia, Legislation, Security

Defence Forces commander-in-chief Riho Terras said that the new development plan increases the real fighting ability of the Defence Forces and reduces bureaucracy.

According to the new development plan, the fast reaction structure of the Defence Forces increases to 21,000 people who are the priority of supplies and reaction speed.

In territorial defence, the voluntary Defence League will have the central role, as its number of members is planned to increase from the current 22,250 to 30,000 in ten years.

The development changes the structure of the Defence Forces by merging the infantry staff with the central headquarters and in air force and navy, just one headquarters remain.

All conscripts will have modern living conditions by the end of 2014, for which new facilities will be built in Tapa, Jõhvi, Võru and Ämari.

The number of professional military will increase from 3,100 to 3,600 in ten years and the pre-recession wages level will be restored during this year in the Defence Forces.