Sõjateadlane. The Estonian Journal of Military Studies

HUNTIDEST, VALMIDUSEST JA VÕIDUTAHTEST

Andres Saumets — Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

HUNTIDEST, VALMIDUSEST JA VÕIDUTAHTEST

KAITSEPLANEERIMINE ÄREVAL KÜMNENDIL – VÄEHALDUSE KÜSIMUS

Ivo Peets — Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This article analyses the development of Estonia’s
military defence from the restoration of the country’s independence up to 2024,
focusing on defence planning and its impact on building military capability. The
study describes the progress of Estonian defence planning, the factors that influence
it, and their impact on the development of national military capabilities.
The main conclusion of the study is that Estonia has not yet developed a comprehensive
system for military capability management, although such a system would be
central to the development and preservation of the country’s defensive capabilities.
The article stresses the urgent need to develop such a system and puts forward
concrete proposals by which this can be achieved.
The article focuses on three closely-related fields: military force structure planning
in a changing security environment, the life-cycle management of capabilities,
and the integration of the defence industry. The article provides a systematic review
of Estonia’s current experience and gives practical recommendations for a more
effective development of military capabilities with limited resources. These recommendations
can help to further advance Estonia’s defence policy and refine its planning
processes.

DROONID JA TARKVARARAADIOD EHK VÄIKERIIGI ÕPPETUNDE ELEKTROONILISEST VÕITLUSEST

Karel Piip, Haldo-Ratt Harro, IVo Müürsepp, Toomas Ruuben — Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Electronic warfare (EW) has already spread to the air, the land, the sea, and even space. Today, software
defined radio (SDR) technologies that can easily be interfaced with computers
are available to anyone for only a few dozen euros. In a software defined radio, signals
are usually processed on the software level. Enthusiasts of SDR can independently
store large quantities of signals, process these with powerful processors and, when
adding the capabilities of AI, they have great resources at hand.
We know that the armed forces of the Russian Federation (RF) have great EW
capabilities, at least in theory, but we know nothing about the level of military
training of their EW units. It is too early to come to any final conclusions about the
current conflict, but it is evident that the RF uses all elements of EW.
Experience from the war in Ukraine has shown that one can build well-functioning
systems from readily available devices. The proficient use of existing capabilities may
be the most cost-effective approach to enhancing electronic warfare capabilities.

COMPARATIVE STUDY INTO ARCHAIC SOFTWARE INTEGRATION BASED ON NATO S4 SOFTWARE LIBRARY

Liisa Sakerman, Madis-Mikk Remmet, Rait Rotšan, Kaarel Allemann, Kristi Reispass — Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to research different integration strategies for a legacy
software suite, focusing on comparing Command Line Interface (CLI) and web API
methods. The research evaluates these approaches using both objective metrics,
such as CPU/RAM usage and response times, and subjective metrics, including client
satisfaction. Results showed that CLI integration handles a higher volume of lowcomputation-
time requests more efficiently, while RAM usage was similar across all
requests and integrations. Response times were marginally longer for the web API
integration, but the differences became less significant for more complex requests.
Feedback from the client indicated a lack of strong preference, however the importance
of efficient CPU and RAM usage was emphasised due to the crucial need for
battery efficiency. Although the integrations in this study exhibited minimal differences,
these findings will provide valuable insight for future integration projects
and suggest possible avenues for further research in this domain.

UNIVERSITY TEACHERS’ PERCEPTION OF ENHANCING LEARNING TO LEARN COMPETENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Aigi Piirimees, Ülle Säälik — Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Learning competence is perceived as a key competence for lifelong
learning. However, it is not clear how teachers can effectively help students develop
into self-regulated, lifelong learners. The aim of the study was to find out how university teachers perceive students’
learning to learn competence, as well as if and how often teachers in higher education
incorporate the developing learning skills of students into their study programs and
what the reasons are for doing or not doing so. The participants of the study were teachers of the Estonian Military Academy
and the Narva College of the University of Tartu. The questionnaire was administered
and included open-ended questions on teachers’ perception of learning to learn
competence and the importance of developing this competence. It also comprised
statements about teaching practices, which the participants had to mark according
to how often they did them, bringing out the challenges they face.
The study revealed that university teachers recognise the importance of
developing students’ learning to learn competence but often focus more on content
delivery, assuming students are already self-regulated learners. Teachers also noted
that enhancing their own proficiency in learning strategies and involving diverse
subjects throughout the study period could improve the development of students’
learning to learn competence.

KAITSEVÄE AKADEEMIA KADETTIDE OOTUSED MENTORLUSE SUHTES

Maie Vumba, Laur Nurkse — Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Mentorship is a relationship-focused practice that plays
a significant role in supporting the development of young officers. This research
sets out to describe and systematise cadets’ expectations for mentorship at the
Estonian Military Academy. The article examines three areas of mentorship: cadets’
experiences with the current mentorship programme, their perception of the different
roles of mentors and mentees, and finally their expectations for mentorship
in the Estonian Military Academy. This qualitative phenomenological research was
conducted with semi-structured interviews in three focus groups. The results of the
study reveal that the cadets, based on their previous experiences and role perceptions,
have clear expectations for mentorship both as a programme of development
and support for their studies. When we compared the results of this study with the
competency model for military leaders, it revealed that the expectations of cadets for
mentors are comparable with the leadership competency as described in the model.
The results of this study contribute to shaping and implementing mentorship programmes
because the development of mentorship will ultimately benefit all participants
and the Defence Forces as a whole.

TUNTUD JA TUNDMATU – MÕISTATUSLIK KOLONEL JAAN RINK

Risto-Pearu Koovit — Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Colonel Jaan Rink (1886–1927) has remained a relatively little-known
figure in Estonian military history. Of course, those who are better informed certainly
know that during the War of Independence he initially served as Chief
of Staff of the 1st Division, and later as Chief of the Administration of Staff to
the Commander-in-Chief. In the final phase of the War of Independence he also
performed the duties of Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief, succeeding
Major General Jaan Soots in this position. After the end of the War of Independence
he also briefly served as Chief of Staff of the Estonian Military Forces. Rink was one
of the few senior Estonian officers during the War of Independence who had undergone
military training as a general staff officer at the Imperial Nicholas General Staff
Academy; he also had experience at corps staff level during World War I.
Since there are currently no comprehensive overviews on Jaan Rink, the purpose
of this article is to examine his military education, participation in military activities
during both World War I and the War of Independence, involvement in Estonian
national defence after the War of Independence, and his contributions to the development
of Estonian national defence. The article also serves as a tribute to this lesserknown
hero of the War of Independence.

EESTI KAITSEAMETKONDADE OHUHINNANG VÄLISRÜNNAKU VÕIMALIKKUSE KOHTA ENNE JA PÄRAST 1. DETSEMBRI RIIGIPÖÖRDEKATSET AASTAL 1924

August Mänd — Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

At the time of publishing this article, a hundred years have passed since the coup attempt, which was a severe shock
to the newly independent Republic of Estonia. The uprising, which took place in the
early hours of December, occurred during a period when efforts were underway to
restore the activities of the Estonian Defence League. A trial had just concluded for
149 communists, and intense mutual espionage was taking place between Estonia
and the Soviet Union. The coup plotters had received support from the Soviet Union.
Although, in the 1920s, the Red Army was seen in Estonia as the most likely military
threat, the likelihood of the materialisation of this threat has not been studied in
depth. This article attempts to shed light on how likely Estonian defence authorities
considered a Red Army attack, both before and immediately after the coup attempt,
based on archival sources.

VANDENÕUTEOORIAD KUI MÕJUTUSVAHENDID JA KULTUURINÄHTUS

Vladimir Sazonov — Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

VANDENÕUTEOORIAD KUI MÕJUTUSVAHENDID JA KULTUURINÄHTUS