Estonia

Republic of Estonia

The Republic of Estonia (Eesti Vabariik) was known as the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic between 1940 and 1991, when it was a part of the Soviet Union. After a period of years, during which Estonia made some progress in achieving greater autonomy from the USSR, a referendum in March 1991 resulted in more than 77% of Estonians favoring independence. A few months later, during the attempted coup d'etat in Moscow (in August), the country declared itself a fully independent Republic.

Prior to independence, the defense of Estonia was the responsibility of Soviet forces. Facing the likelihood of complete abandonment by the Soviet military structure, Estonia reformed its historical Eesti Kaitseliit, or Estonian Defence League on February 17, 1990. The EDL would serve as an interim defense force until the formation of the new Estonian Defence Force (Eesti Kaitsevägi,) and thereafter would remain in the role of a voluntary, paramilitary organization functioning similarly to a national guard.

Once firmly established as an independent Republic, Estonia joined NATO and later became a member of the European Union. Today, the Estonian Defence Force consists of the Ground Forces (Army), Navy, Air Force, and the Estonian Defence League. The nation has been quite active in peacekeeping efforts, having deployed small contingents to Kosovo, Afghanistan (as part of ISAF), Iraq, and Lebanon.

The nations's initial adoption of a national camouflage pattern reflected its long association with the Soviet Union, but in recent years Estonia has moved into the "digital age" and embraced pixelated camouflage designs of its own.

Estonian Camouflage Patterns

• During its formation, Estonian Defense League personnel wore surplus Soviet issue TTsKO afghanka, KLMK solnechnye zaychiki coveralls, and KZS berezkha oversuits that remained in warehouses after Russian forces departed. Documentary photographs suggest most TTsKO designs were primarily brown-dominant. By the mid-1990s, as Estonian-made camouflage uniforms became more widely available, the use of Soviet designs dropped off considerably. Nevertheless, some limited use of remaining stocks, particularly KLMK coveralls, was retained for use by OPFOR units well into the 2010s.

• Established in 1990, the Eesti Kodukaitse (Estonian Home Defense) was a paramilitary organisation that served both as a gendarmerie as well as a civil defense organization. Some of its personnel served a vital role in setting up and manning the very first checkpoints on the Estonian-Russian border, and many went on to serve in the Border Guard when it was established as a separate agency. Although a majority of its personnel wore a mixture of plain colored and civilian clothing, re-purposed Soviet uniforms, and Estonian issued camouflage clothing, some documentation suggests limited usage of uniquely configured combat clothing patterned in Soviet-era berezhka (birch) camouflage fabric, of the same type utilized on the spetsodezhda suits worn by KGB Border Guard and MVD special units. These suits had fallen into disuse by the mid-1990s.

• The production and issue of indigenous Estonian camouflage began around 1990. Variations of the Soviet 3-TsV or TTsKO pattern in color palettes atypical to Soviet factories are well-documented in Estonia during this time period, interspersed with known Soviet-produced surplus stock uniforms leftover from the days when the country was part of the USSR. In 1992, a basic set of preliminary uniform guidelines were issued by the Chief of Staff, but the resulting Estonian-produced camouflage patterns varied widely in color and tone, the differences most likely due to inconsistencies in quality control from various Estonian factories. Extant photographs and uniforms from this period suggest the earliest production camouflage patterns appear to be copies of the Soviet TTsKO, with a preponderance of brown, khaki, and olive-green dominant designs appearing in use all at the same time. Of note, the distinctive "teardrop" shape identified in the original Soviet pattern is also present in all of the known Estonian color variants produced between 1991 and 1994.

• Distinctive variations of the TTsKO design having violet, ochre, and khaki shapes on a light colored background are also well-documented from the formative period of the Estonian Defense Force. Although there is much speculation as to the reasons for the obvious color differences, no concrete evidence has emerged to explain the contrast with other designs. It is possible the lighter colored versions were considered for seasonal issue (autumn/winter, as opposed to spring/summer), or for deployment in certain terrain (low vegetation, sandy beaches). Nevertheless, photographic evidence indicates the light versions were worn concurrently with both Soviet period and locally-produced Estonian TTsKO brown/khaki patterns, suggesting that in practice there was little strict control over whether soldiers were issued with one type of camouflage or another. Several variations have been noted, showing again the inconsistencies during this period in quality control from Estonian factories. It is worth noting that appearance of the lighter-colored variations fell into disuse by the the late 1990s.

• In 1995, a new style of uniform was introduced for the Estonian Defense Forces, and with it a distinctly "green dominant" version of the TTsKO pattern emerged as a fairly standardized camouflage pattern for Estonian forces. The shapes of the pattern differ somewhat from the original Soviet-produced model, in particular a distinctive "Q" shape can be located within the Estonian design, consistent from the earliest to most recent productions of the pattern. The early so-called "Fisherman's Suit" was quickly replaced by Soviet M88-style uniforms, but the green-dominant camouflage design remained in production and became the standard coloration of TTsKO for all subsequent Estonian military uniforms and equipment. Although like earlier production camouflage there would be minor inconsistencies in shade and tone, the "green TTsKO" camouflage would come to be identified with Estonian forces exclusively and is instantly recognizable when compared to the TTsKO variations produced in other former Soviet Republics. Some versions of this basic green design would remain in use with Estonian forces well into the 21st century, particularly with reservists and members of the EDF.

• Between 1993 and 1998, members of the Border Guard (Eesti Piirivalve) were issued a unique camouflage design consisting of purple and tan shapes (forming the outline of Estonia) on a bright green background.

• A desert version of the green tricolour amoeba pattern was introduced between 2001 and 2004. It has been worn by Estonian military personnel serving in Iraq (OIF) & Afghanistan (OEF). Early versions of this pattern were printed on the same thick cotton fabric of the first style uniforms, whilst later production runs were printed on ripstop fabric. Some slight variations in color have been documented.

• At some point in the early 2000's a unique "green woodland" pattern started appearing on a limited number of helmet covers among the EDF and EDL. Using the same colorway as the "Green" TTsKO, it appears to have fallen into disuse by the early 2010's, although it is likely to still be used, or at least retained in stocks among EDF reserves and by members of the EDL. The origins of this pattern are unknown, although it is speculated that this was one of the trial patterns that lost to the ESTDCU digital pattern in 2004, with fabric stocks being turned into helmet covers to avoid wasting materials.

• In 2006 Estonia introduced a pixelated pattern of black, olive green, & rust on moss green background, developed by Andres Lüll. The uniform is designated Estonian Digital Combat Uniforms or ESTDCU, and was intended to replace the older, TTsKO-based design. The actual implementation of the new uniform camouflage pattern was slow, with many reserve units continuing to utilize old stocks of camouflage as their service uniform. The pattern has remarkably strong similarities to the Canadian Armed Forces CADPAT Temperate design.

• Also in 2006, a pixelated pattern of sparse brown & grey on sandy background was introduced for deployments to desert regions. This has replaced earlier desert versions as the standard deployment design for arid and desert regions.

• A pixelated camouflage for snow conditions was field tested around 2009, and was later integrated into the supply system and made available to certain units of the armed forces, such as the Tankipurustajad (tank killers). Often worn in combination with solid white oversuits, at least two versions of the pattern have been documented, with one having a greater density of dark patches than the other. Helmet covers seem to be the most prevalent use of the more densely concentrated design, although both versions have been produced as full suits.

• As early as 2012, members of the Erioperatsioonide väejuhatus (Estonian Special Operations Force, or ESTSOF) began using uniforms and gear in the Multicam pattern. Prior to this, Multicam had been adopted by the "K-Komando", a SWAT-type unit of the Estonian Police and Border Guards under command of the Keskkriminaalpolitsei (Central Crime Police). Although the latter was authorized to use the standard, three-color TTsKO camouflage pattern since 2009, the unit opted instead for Multicam which has been used since 2010.

Other Camouflage Patterns worn by Estonian Forces

• The Kaitseliit or Estonian Defence League, a paramilitary national defence organization operating much like some national guard units, was supplied with surplus East German Army strichtarn pattern camouflage uniforms during the early part of the 1990s. A local nickname for the pattern and uniforms was makaronid or "spaghettis." Additionally, the Sissikompanii (guerilla companies) of the Border Guards also routinely wore surplus East German strichtarn pattern uniforms during tactical exercises, until the units were disbanded in 2004.

• A number of Estonian military and paramiltary units have utilized surplus US military issue m81 woodland pattern camouflage uniforms and equipment, which began in the mid-1990s. In particular, the Estonian elements of the Baltic Battalion (BALTBAT) were issued surplus US BDUs worn with matching USMC style 8-point covers and bearing national insignia. Conscripts and soldiers of the regular Estonian armed forces, as well as members of the Estonian Defense League (Eesti Kaitseliit), have also been supplied with surplus and US government donated US Woodland uniforms and equipment since the mid-1990's, most commonly BDUs, cold weather and Gore-Tex uniforms, PASGT (Personal Armor System for Ground Troops) vests and helmets with Woodland covers, and Woodland RBA (Ranger Body Armor) body armor vests.

• The Estonian contingent to Bosnia (SFOR) circa 1996-98 wore the Danish m84 pattern camouflage uniform and helmet cover

• Use of surplus Swiss Armed Forces issue alpenflage pattern ponchos by the Estonian Defense League (Eesti Kaitseliit) began in the late 1990s and continued until around 2009-10, as more contemporary rain gear became available. In addition, private purchase gear in various camouflage designs such as woodland and duck hunter have also been observed.

• Some Estonian Defense League (Eesti Kaitseliit) personnel have worn privately purcahsed, surplus German Army issue flecktarn pattern uniforms for training and field exercises, including Goretex rain gear. This began in the 2000s.

• Estonian personnel deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan initially wore surplus US-supplied desert camouflage uniforms in both six-color ("chocolate chip") and three color designs.

• During subsequent deployments to Afghanistan, many Estonian military personnel acquired additional items of desert and arid-camouflage military kit, including British desert DPM and MTP, and USMC Desert MARPAT. These camouflage designs appeared in a mixture of combat shirts, standard combat uniforms, body armor, and load-bearing equipment, most often interspersed with Estonian military issue uniforms and gear.

Acknowledgements

I wish to express my sincere thanks to Mr. Nate Lee for his generous assistance in providing research and documentation for this page.