Suurtükiväegrupp

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Suurtükiväegrupp


caption=Insignia of the Suurtükiväegrupp
dates= 1918-1940
1998-
country= EST
allegiance=
branch= Estonian Defence Forces
type= Artillery
role= Fire support
size= Battalion
command_structure=
garrison=Tapa
garrison_label=
equipment=FH-70
equipment_label=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors=
colors_label=
march=
mascot=
battles=Estonian War of Independence
anniversaries=16 January
20 March
decorations=
battle_honours=
current_commander= Vahur Kütt
current_commander_label=Captain
ceremonial_chief=
ceremonial_chief_label=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
colonel_of_the_regiment_label=
notable_commanders=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=Distinctive Unit Insignia
identification_symbol_2=
identification_symbol_2_label=The Suurtükiväegrupp, ( _en. Artillery Battalion) Audio|Suurtükiväegrupp.ogg|listen is the name of the Estonian Defence Forces artillery force which has a supportive military formation role among the Estonian Grond Forces. Other units might have an artillery or a mortar component, but the "Artillery battalion" is a unit dedicated to artillery and relying on other units for infantry support, especially when attacking. The main task of this formation is to provide artillery support for the infantry brigades operating on the battlefield.

Units

*1st Infantry Brigade
**1st Artillery Battalion
*"2nd Infantry Brigade" "(planned)"
**2nd Artillery Battalion "(planned)"

History

The Artillery Battalion was created on 16 January 1918. On 21 November 1918 the Estonian Minister of War named the captain Hugo Kauler to the commander of the "1st Artillery Battalion". The unit fought during the Estonian War of Independence mainly on the Narva, Tartu and Viljandi fronts. The unit also participated in the Landeswehr war in Northern Latvia. Most of the combat firings were carried out by direct firing from the positions. [http://www.mil.ee/?menu=maavagi&sisu=suurtukk History of the Artillery Group]

Equipment

The "Artillery Battalion" is currently armed with the Europe's first multi-national artillery program field howitzer FH-70s. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FH-70#Design FH-70 design]

Future development

Currently there are plans to create another artillery unit into the "Artillery Battalion". On 19 February 2008 Finland proposed Estonia a possibility to obtain a large amount of field howitzers along with the ammunition and spare parts with a symbolic price. The deal would include 36 122 mm H63 field howitzers. At the moment the Estonian Ministry of Defence has not yet replied to the offer. [http://www.epl.ee/?uudised=419157 Soome pakub soodsaid suurtükke]

ee also

*Tapa
*FH-70
*D-30

Notes and references