Herem: NATO command structure changes for Estonia must be done quickly

NATO is adjusting its command structure and plans to assign a different corps for the defence of Estonia and Latvia. Estonian military chief Martin Herem has urged that the changes affecting Estonia be implemented swiftly.

NATO is restructuring its command and control architecture, with plans to assign a new corps responsible for the defence of Estonia and Latvia — a shift from the current arrangement. Estonian Defence Forces Commander Martin Herem has stressed that any structural changes affecting Estonia must be completed without delay.

Herem emphasised that the reorganisation carries direct implications for Estonia's security posture and that speed is essential in finalising the new command assignments. The changes are part of a broader NATO effort to modernise its command structure in line with current threat assessments, particularly given the security environment along the Alliance's eastern flank.

Estonia and Latvia have been identified as areas requiring updated command arrangements to ensure effective coordination between NATO forces in a potential crisis scenario. The new corps assignment is intended to streamline decision-making and reinforce the credibility of NATO's collective defence commitments in the Baltic region.

The restructuring reflects ongoing adaptation within NATO following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which prompted the Alliance to fundamentally reassess its forward defence posture. Baltic states have been at the forefront of pushing for stronger and more permanent NATO presence and clearer command lines on their territory.