Part of Ministry of Interior | Role Border guard Commander Tõnu Hunt | |
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Active 1 November 1922–19401991–present | ||
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.
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Aircraft
The fleet consist of some fixed and rotary wing aircraft. New Agusta Westland AW-139 helicopters were bought with European Union funds support.
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.