Tapa Army Base

Tapa army base (Tapa sõjaväelinnak) is one of the largest military bases of the Estonian Army. There are only specialised battalions which require a large area for every day training. Next to the base is Central Training Area. It is excellent for artillery live firing and manoeuvre. Because of this reason other military units go to there several times a year.

History
Tapa military base is one of the few former Soviet military facilities which were taken over by the Estonian Defence Forces in early 90s. The first facility of the base was built in the autumn of 1939, an airfield, by the Red Army. After the end of World War II and the Soviet recapture of Estonia the base area was enlarged and totalled at its peak around 9 square kilometres. The military also stationed later a Soviet Air Force fighter regiment equipped with 40 fighters Mig-23. In the 60s the military base received also a tank and a pioneer training regiment. During the Soviet exploitation of the military base a lot of ecological damage was carried out, mainly due to the poor handling of the oil and other fuel.

Present day
Today the Tapa military base is home to the North-Eastern Defence Command of the Estonian Ground Forces and 4 battalions.

Renovation
Soviet-era buildings are being renovated into more modern structures. Also, a new infrastructure is being constructed.

Structure
The Tapa Army Base accommodates the following units:
 * [[Image:Northeastern Defense District of Estonia emblem.svg|23px]] North-Eastern Defence District HQ
 * [[Image:Pioneeripat vapp.jpg|23px]] Engineer Battalion
 * [[Image:Suurtükiväepataljon emblem.svg|23px]] Artillery Battalion
 * [[Image:Õhutõrjepataljon emblem.svg|23px]] Air Defence Battalion
 * [[Image:Kaitseväe Keskpolügoon.png|23px]] Central Training Area

Look also

 * Jägala Army Base
 * Amari Air base
 * Tapa town
 * Tapa airfield