NordenBladet —
Early morning on Monday Danish Leopards 2A7 tanks and other vehicles rolled onto Estonia soil in Paldiski harbor. The arrival forms part of the rotation of the Danish contribution to the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroup.
”This deployement demonstrates the strong cohesion of the alliance to deter any aggressor, and reassures our Estonian friends and allies that we stand together in the preservation of their territorial integrity,” senior Danish National representative Lt Col C. E. Poulsen said.
The main force of eFP team six is the 2nd tank squadron from I Tank Battalion, The Jutland Dragoons Regiment. The Danish contribution also consists of a Logistic Detachment and a National Support Element. Whilst Danish troops have been in Estonia for a while, this is the first time the Leopard 2A7 will be on Estonian soil.
“The main asset of Rotation 6 is the Leopard 2A7, which is one of the most – if not the most – modern and advanced main battle tank and it will add substantial combat power to the eFP Battle Group in Estonia,” Lt Col C. E. Poulsen said. “The entire team Six is looking forward to train and integrate with our Estonian, British and French allies in the upcoming months.”
The Danish tank teams have been training in Denmark in order to be certified and fully prepared for the coming task in Estonia.
The Leopard 2A7 tank is the “state of the art” in modern warfare. The Main Battle Tank is the latest version of the famous Leopard family built by the German Krauss-Maffei. The Danish Leopards 2A7 are an upgraded version of the 2A5DK.
The V12 twin turbo diesel engine accelerates the 62-ton tank up to 60 km/ hour in terrain, and with a new digitalized aiming system and a full-stabilized 120 mm gun, Danish troops present a powerful player on the arena.
The Danish eFP team 6 will be accommodated in Tapa Barracks along with the UK and French Allied forces within the British-led NATO eFP Battlegroup in Estonia. The international NATO eFP Battlegroup rotates regularly and during the coming period new fresh British and French Troops will arrive to Estonia.
Source: Estonian Defence Forces