Estonian Border Guard | |
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Eesti Piirivalve | |
Badge
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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 |
Insignia | |
Flag | |
Ship racing stripe |
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.
The fleet consist of some fixed and rotary wing aircraft. New Agusta Westland AW-139 helicopters were bought with European Union funds support.
Main tasks of Aviation unit is:
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.
One Mi-8 is in Estonian Aviation Museum.