Tapa military base needs 1,000 additional beds for allied troops
The Estonian Defence Forces' Tapa Army Base needs an additional thousand beds in order to accommmodate the thousand or so allied soldiers slated to be stationed in Estonia.
Daily Postimees reported that the defense forces' are most severely lacking in barracks and canteen space, as current facilities are unable to accommodate one thousand allies for an extended period of time, and that also in need of expansion are the Central Training Area, maintenance areas and parking lots. There is, however, enough room at the base already for the storage of equipment and weaponry.
The Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces confirmed that, according to current plans, British and French soldiers will be housed in tents or containers until the construction of permanent facilities is completed.
The British-led multinational battalion to be stationed in Estonia is expected to arrive by May of next year; according to plan, the allied battalion will be stationed at Tapa Army Base and begin working together with Estonia's own 1st Infantry Brigade.
The UK will be supplying the battalion with 800 soldiers, Warrior armored infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), Challenger 2 main battle tanks as well as tactical drones, while France will send an additional armored company to the battle group which will be replacing Danish soldiers after a yet-undisclosed amount of time.
Editor: Editor: Aili Vahtla