TALLINN, Estonia (AP) 鈥� The United States will deploy additional infantry troops to the Baltic country of Estonia 鈥渋n the coming weeks鈥� to strengthen defenses on NATO鈥檚 eastern flank, Estonian defense officials said Thursday.
The deployment consists of a U.S. infantry company 鈥� a unit typically consisting of 80 to 250 soldiers, Estonia鈥檚 Defense Ministry said in a statement. That will be accompanied by the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, known as HIMARS, as well as associated command and control equipment and systems.
鈥淭his decision marks a significant enhancement of the U.S. rotational military presence in Estonia and the Baltic States, demonstrating the U.S.' long-standing commitment to the security of our region and greatly enhancing NATO鈥檚 posture,鈥� Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said.
Last week, Russia鈥檚 neighbor Estonia said it would acquire the advanced HIMARS to boost its defense capabilities in the Baltic country鈥檚 largest arms procurement project ever, worth more than $200 million.
In a separate statement, the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn said that the American troops are part of NATO鈥檚 enhanced rotational troop deployments agreed at the military alliance鈥檚 Madrid summit earlier this year.
The Associated Press
