EML Admiral Pitka (A230)

EML "Admiral Pitka" (A230) is a "Hvidbjørnen"-class frigate of the Estonian Navy and belongs into the Estonian Navy Mineships Division. The commanding officer of the vessel is Senior Lieutenant Peep Laanisto.

Introduction

The command and support frigate "Admiral Pitka" is the flagship vessel of the Estonian Navy and the Mineships Division and also the first modernized frigate in the navy. The colors of the vessels coat of arms represents the knights honor on the battlefield and also connections and joint history between Estonia and Denmark. The shape of the cross points to the Estonian Liberty Cross and points out Admiral Johan Pitkas important role during the Estonian War of Independence. The ships motto is in Latin "„Pro Patria”" which means in English "For fatherland". The coat of arms was designed by Priit Herodes and Captain-Lieutenant Jaan Kapp. The coat of arms was donated to the navy by AS Falck Baltic. In 2001 a cooperation contract was signed between the Rakvere city council and the frigate "Pitka" which gave the vessel a right to wear the Rakvere town coat of arms and to introduce the city in all foreign harbors across the world.

History

As HDMS "Beskytteren" (F340) it was built in Denmark, in a Alborg Værft in Limjord shipyard. The vessel was launched on 29 May, 1975 and she entered service a year later on 27 February 1976. The Danish Navy decommissioned "Beskytteren" in 2000 and donated the vessels to the Estonian Navy.The ships name comes from an Estonian admiral's Johan Pitka family name. The coat of arms was presented on a ceremony on 21 November 2000. [http://mil.ee/?menu=merevagi&sisu=pitka ENS Admiral Pitka (A230)]

Gallery

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