Defence Minister: Estonia may host NATO German-Dutch corps

Estonia may soon become the new base for NATO’s German-Dutch corps, according to Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur. If the alliance approves the proposal, the corps' forward command post could be stationed in Pärnu — a city seen as strategically suitable due to its transportation links and existing defense infrastructure.

"This specific plan is tied to a broader NATO initiative, which involves the German-Dutch corps responsible for our area of operations and their forward command post," said Pevkur. "It would involve both our allies who fulfill leadership roles at the corps level and, of course, our own defence forces — including conscripts. From the perspective of the Estonian Defence Forces [EDF], it's a fairly significant development."

The final decision is expected later this year. Estonia is currently awaiting confirmation from NATO headquarters, Caliber.Az reports via ERR. 

Pevkur noted that the corps would need a dedicated base complex to accommodate 100 to 200 personnel. The facility would include headquarters buildings, support infrastructure, and security measures.

"Primarily, it's about command functions, but of course there must also be provisions for things like perimeter security," he added.

Should NATO agree to station the corps in Estonia, Pärnu is considered the leading candidate for the location. The city’s proximity to a port, an airfield, railway connections, a major highway, and Riga gives it a logistical advantage.

"If the decision is to station it in Estonia, then the best location would be Pärnu. We've discussed this with the city of Pärnu," Pevkur said.

Pärnu Mayor Romek Kosenkranius expressed strong support for the proposal, emphasising the potential return of defense forces to the region.

"Our interest is not only in hosting this corps, but also in bringing the defense forces back to Pärnu and Pärnu County. That would allow conscript service to be organized here, and professional military personnel would have the opportunity to serve in Pärnu or the surrounding area," Kosenkranius said.

The proposed base would be located just a few kilometers from the city center, across from the Pärnu County Defense League unit. According to Kosenkranius, the Estonian Center for Defence Investments recently submitted a request to the city asking for the land to be transferred to the Ministry of Defence.

Former EDF Commander Martin Herem also voiced support for the initiative, calling it a strategic opportunity for Estonia and the broader Baltic region.

"The German-Dutch corps in this case would mean a headquarters element or forward command post. Bringing it to Estonia — or the Baltics in general — would, in my view, be very beneficial to us. Whatever we invest now will yield a significantly greater return: enhanced readiness and activation of NATO plans for the Baltic states, including Estonia," Herem said.

The Estonian Ministry of Defence has already allocated €17 million for the construction of the base.

"We'll see how things develop. We've budgeted for it, so if the decision is made, we'll be ready to move forward immediately," said Pevkur.

By Sabina Mammadli