The Estonian military officer, who commanded naval forces in 2017-2024, commented on Wednesday's statement by Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur. The politician declared Tallinn's possible support in unblocking the Strait of Hormuz, provided that the US makes a specific request. The head of the Ministry of Defense pointed out that although the Estonian Navy is not very large, it has minehunters in stock and is part of the NATO Mine Countermeasures Group.
According to Cmdr. Saxon, even sending a few ships to the Persian Gulf region is problematic. In a statement for ERR Radio, he explained that the three Sandown-class minehunters, which the Estonian Navy has operated since 2007-2009, are adapted to operate in the Baltic Sea. However, as he emphasized, in order to deploy them in another distant region, their technical modernization is necessary. Moreover, as he pointed out, the Americans and British no longer operate units of this class in the Persian Gulf region, which would make effective support more difficult.
Saska recalled that the only ships Estonia has are useful in the Baltic Sea, but in practice, usually one of the three minehunters belongs to the NATO group, the other is in maintenance or on maneuvers, and only one is available for domestic tasks. According to the former commander, it would be possible to get a group of divers ready to send them to the Persian Gulf region faster than the ships.
What is the opinion of the Estonian naval commander about the mission in the Strait of Hormuz?
What ships does the Estonian Navy have?
Why is sending minehunters to the Persian Gulf problematic?
When did the Estonian Navy operate in the Baltic Sea?
