Page 37 - Cormorant Issue 19 - 2016

Estonia and Latvia
Wing Commander Jerry Coormiah RAF
ESTONIA AND LATVIA ARE both EU and NATO members who directly link their economic and security
concerns with the West. The UK has enjoyed a long history of support for Estonia and Latvia regularly deploying troops, ships and aircraft to participate in bilateral Defence
Engagement initiatives and NATO exercises aiming to provide reassurance across the Baltic States as a whole, increase understanding and develop capacity of partner nations that sit within a vital geo-strategic location for both the West and Russia. Brie ngs at the British embassies in both countries provided further context to the UK’s relationship with these Baltic States, their particular socio-economic challenges and the potential for increased UK military presence and exports in the region.
Russia’s recent foreign policy in the Ukraine has increased tensions in the region and placed NATO’s Article V resolution at the forefront of the Baltic
States defence policy. The increasing requirement
for a cohesive and resolute defence posture across
the region was the subject of discussion at the International Centre for Defence and Security, with a visit to the Estonian MOD detailing the newly formed NATO Regional Force Integration Unit (RFIU) that aims to provide an enduring “understand” and deployment facilitation function to enable the rapid deployment and receipt of NATO forces, including the VJTF, in response to the Russian threat. Here the Commander of the Estonian Defence Force, Lt Gen Riho Terras, reinforced his country’s view of a Russian threat and his county’s
“
will to stand and ght against either a conventional or hybrid Russian threat with the expectation that NATO would react in accordance with Article V.
A visit to the UK Typhoon detachment at Amari Airbase allowed the students to better understand how the Baltic Air Policing mission was contributing to regional security and the understanding of the Russian A2AD posture across the region. In Latvia the group were able to visit the Adaazi Military Garrison and training area to discuss Land Force CONOPS in more detail and, as in Estonia, it was clear that the Latvians were absolutely ready to stand and ght with the expectation that NATO would support them.
With both countries struggling from net outward migration and growing ethnic Russian, and
Russian speaking diasporas, social cohesion and opportunities for economic growth were at the forefront of the respective governments’ agendas. As well as increasing its Defence Engagement Posture, the UK is also assisting both governments with their strategic communications to counter the Russian propaganda machine to promote a cohesive and inclusive national identity. With their Russian neighbours possessing the military capability to
drive through to both countries’ capitals in a matter of hours, the threat perception is understandably heightened. Having committed troops to various NATO missions, including enduring commitments in Afghanistan, both countries believe they have earned a blood debt and expect NATO to step up when the situation demands. Both Estonia and Latvia believe
it is not a question of if, but when Russia will try and annex their territory. NATO cannot afford to fail if
the Kremlin chooses to test NATO’s cohesion and credibility in the Baltic.
PAGE 35
Egypt
Cdr Stuart Robertson RN
WAYS SYNDICATE 6 AND 7 visited Egypt in order to understand Defence Engagement with one of the
Arab world’s leading nations. After initial brie ngs with the British Ambassador, Defence Attaché and Embassy Head of Regional Affairs, the team
met with a wealth of Egyptian and international security actors. Particular highlights included lectures from the Director General of the Multi National Force and Observers in Sinai, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Nasser Higher Military Academy, British Council and the US Defence Attaché, Major General Charles Hooper US Army.
These engagements highlighted Egypt’s current challenge in restructuring its economy and national institutions following the 2013 revolution in the face of a global economic downturn, terrorist threats from Islamic extremists, regional instability in Syria and Libya, and high population growth. The trip culminated in cultural visits to the Egyptian National Museum to see famous antiquities such as King Tutankhamun’s burial headdress, followed by sightseeing at the Pyramids of Giza. A river cruise and dinner rounded off the nal night
and, for some, provided unforgettable memories during the ight back to the UK. In summary, a thoroughly enjoyable visit to a leading Arab state which exposed the students to the underlying causes of regional instability in the near East and the Levant.
The UK has
enjoyed a long history of support
for Estonia and
Latvia...
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