Õhuvägi

Õhuvägi is the Estonian term for the Air Force, the aerial branch of the Estonian Defence Forces. Its mission is to defend Estonian airspace, provide air surveillance and reconnaissance, and support national defense and civil emergency operations. It operates in close cooperation with NATO allies to police Baltic air space and contribute to international missions.

The core responsibilities of the Õhuvägi include maintaining air sovereignty over Estonian territory in peacetime and crisis, conducting air surveillance and early warning through national and allied radar networks, transporting personnel and equipment, providing medical evacuation and search-and-rescue capabilities, and supporting disaster relief and humanitarian operations.

Historically, the air service of Estonia traces its origins to the Estonian War of Independence in 1918. It was disbanded after the Soviet occupation in 1940 and reestablished in 1991 following Estonia’s independence restoration. Since joining NATO in 2004, the Õhuvägi has been integrated into NATO air defense structures and participates in joint exercises and missions, primarily in support of Baltic Air Policing and allied operations.

Organisation and equipment are oriented toward interoperability and rapid response. The Air Force operates under the Estonian Defence Forces and the Ministry of Defence, with assets including surveillance radars, command-and-control systems, and transport or helicopter aircraft for internal transport, search-and-rescue, and medical evacuation. The emphasis is on enabling allied operations and maintaining readiness rather than operating a domestic fighter aircraft fleet.

Future development focuses on modernizing surveillance, data-sharing capabilities, and airlift capacity, as well as expanding training with NATO partners to sustain credible air defense within the alliance.