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. Since achieving its independence, Estonia has joined NATO and become a member of the European Union. The Estonian Defence Forces (Kaitsevägi) consist of the Ground Forces (Army), Navy, Air Force, and the Defence League, a paramilitary national guard type organization. The nation has been quite active in peacekeeping efforts in recent years, 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

• A variation of the Soviet 3-TsV or TTsKO pattern was introduced for Estonia at some point in the 1980s, probably created and produce in Ukraine. The Estonian versions are distinguished by a strong green tint. Some version of this design would remain in use with Estonian forces for yeras, until replaced in 2006 by a pixelated camouflage design.

• A tan variation of the same period has violet & ochre amoebic shapes on a sandy background. This was reputedly tested as a desert pattern circa 1990, although some evidence suggests it was also worn by units operating in and around sandy beaches. At least two variations have been noted, the more common one with muted colors and another with very strong colors.

• 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.

• The 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.

• 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 is gradually replacing the older design. The design 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 Estonia

• 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 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

• Estonian personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan initially wore surplus US-supplied desert camouflage uniforms in both six-color ("chocolate chip") and three color designs. These uniforms were replaced by an Estonian camouflage design introduced in 2004.