Currently, some 300 French soldiers are stationed in Estonia as part of NATO.
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A decision made “in view of the situation on the eastern flank of NATO” and “of the violence of the fighting in Ukraine”, according to the French Minister for the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu. Paris has decided to strengthen its military presence on the eastern flank of NATO, by deploying in the coming weeks armored infantry vehicles (VBCI) and Leclerc tanks in Romania, as well as reinforcements in Estonia. The Minister made this announcement during a hearing before the Senate Defense Committee on Tuesday, October 11.
France is the framework nation for a NATO mission in Romania, which currently has 350 French soldiers, as well as Belgian and Dutch forces. “We will also continue to strengthen our defense posture in Lithuania”with the deployment of Rafale combat aircraft to police the skies, “and in Estonia where a reinforced light infantry company will be deployed” in 2023, explained Sébastien Lecornu.
This company will be equipped with Griffon vehicles. Currently, some 300 French soldiers are stationed in Estonia as part of NATO.