Estonian Border Guard

Estonian Border Guard
Eesti Piirivalve

Badge
Active 1 November 1922–1940
1991–present
Country  Estonia
Role Border guard
Part of Ministry of Interior
Commanders
Commander Tõnu Hunt
Notable
commanders		 Ants Kurvits

The Estonian Border Guard (Estonian: Eesti Piirivalve) is the Estonian security authority responsible for the border security. It is a military organization, subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior. The Border Guard also assists with Search and Rescue missions. The Border Guard Flight Squadron (Piirivalvelennusalk) provides air support to the Estonian Border Guard. It is based at the Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport. Most Border Guard posts have helipads.

Agusta Westland AW-139

Aircraft

The fleet consist of some fixed and rotary wing aircraft. New Agusta Westland AW-139 helicopters were bought with European Union funds support.

Aircraft Origin Type In service Notes
Let L-410UVP  Czech Republic transport and patrol aircraft 2 Donated by German Air Force (prior to that, former East German Air force)
Cessna 172R  United States training and patrol aircraft 1
AgustaWestland AW139  Italy rescue, patrol and transport helicopter 3 Entered service in 2007, 2008 and 2011.
Enstrom 480  United States training and patrol helicopter 1

One week in autumn 2011 there were no operational AW-139 available. To prevent situations like this in the future it is important for the Border Guard to acquire additional aircraft or further develop their medium helicopter capability Estonian Defence Forces (SAR available).

Main tasks of Aviation unit is:

Former aircraft

In 1995 Estonia received 4 surplus Mi-8, and 2 L-410 from Germany. These aircraft were provided to the Border Guard. Several of the helicopters were modified and adapted for search and rescue operations and painted in appropriate SAR colours instead of original military camouflage.

Border Guard Mi-8
Aircraft Origin Type In service Notes
Mi-8 SAR  Soviet Union rescue, patrol and transport helicopter 4 Former German Air Force (prior to that, former East German Air force)

One Mi-8 is in Tartu Aviation museum.

See also

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