On 21 September the Chief of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy and First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope,   visited Estonia at the invitation of the Chief of the Estonian Navy, Captain Igor Schvede.

On 22 September The First Sea Lord met with the Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Ants Laaneots, the Chief of the Navy, Captain Igor Schvede, and Deputy Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Commander SG Lauri Tumm.

Admiral Stanhope also visited ENS Admiral Cowan, a Mine Countermeasures Vessel procured from the United Kingdom.  He was briefed on mine clearance operations conducted in Estonian and Baltic waters and on the Estonian Navy's participation in the NATO Reaction Forces' Standing Mine Countermeasures Group 1.  Sir Mark Stanhope has also paid a visit to the rehabilitation centre at East Tallinn Central Hospital where Estonian soldiers injured on foreign missions are treated. The First Sea Lord participated in an event at the Maritime Museum to  present plans for the future reconstruction of the Seaplane Harbour; where he boarded the historic submarine Lembit, built in the United Kingdom.

British Ambassador Peter Carter commented, "This is an important visit, one of Sir Mark's first overseas trips since he became First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff in July 2009.    It underlines the strength and depth of defence relations between Estonia and the UK".  Ambassador Carter added, "Sir Mark's visit will provide a useful opportunity to discuss a wide range of security framework and operational issues, including progress with deploying the Estonian Navy's three mine countermeasures vessels, and areas of mutual interest in Afghanistan, given the significant contribution made by Estonian forces to the effort in Helmand Province".

Background for Editors
Admiral Sir Mark Mark Stanhope heads the Royal Navy.  He also serves as Chairman of the Navy Board and the Navy's representative on the Chiefs of Staff  Committee.  He is responsible to the Secretary of State for Defence for the fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale of the Royal Naval Service and, as a member of the Defence Council, supports the Defence Secretary in the management and direction of the Armed Forces. As a member of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, he advises the Chief of the Defence Staff on maritime strategy and policy; and, as a member of the Defence Board, he has a collective responsibility for providing strategic direction, managing performance and ensuring that Defence delivers the required outputs.  He also advises the Permanent Under Secretary of the Ministry of Defence on resource allocation and budgetary planning in the light of defence policy and naval priorities.

Estonia and the United Kingdom are engaged in an active defence co-operation. Estonian soldiers serve together with the British troops in the biggest foreign operation in Helmand battlegroup  in Afghanistan.  In April 2009 Estonia completed the  purchase of  three ex-Royal Navy Sandown class minehunters (Adm Cowan, Sakala and Ugandi) from the United Kingdom.  In December 2008 the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Edinburgh visited Tallinn and in June 2009 the Royal Navy's Flagship, the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, spent five days in the Tallinn harbour.

Back to newsroom

Back to top