US Demonstrates NATO Reliability Improving Tapa Base Infrastructure

The United States proved that Estonia can rely on its NATO allies by contributing to the construction of the infrastructure facilities at the military base located in the Estonian city of Tapa, according to Deputy Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces Indrek Sirel.

TALLINN (Sputnik) – The United States proved that Estonia can rely on its NATO allies by contributing to the construction of the infrastructure facilities at the military base located in the Estonian city of Tapa, Deputy Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces Indrek Sirel said Thursday.

"US investments in Tapa show that the presence of our allies is stable and reliable. The new infrastructure facilities will improve the conditions for training units of the US troops, the capacities for storing and maintenance of the military equipment," Sirel said at the ceremonial handover of the facilities to the Estonian Defense Forces.

Among the infrastructure projects, implemented by the US military, are construction of a shooting range, renovating of a railway station and facilities for the storage and maintenance of military equipment.

Since 2014, NATO has been building up its military presence in Europe, especially in Eastern European countries neighboring Russia, using Moscow’s alleged interference in the Ukrainian conflict as a pretext. Moscow has repeatedly denied the claims and warned NATO that the military buildup on Russia’s borders is provocative and threatens the existing strategic balance of power.

At the NATO July summit in Warsaw, it was decided that the military alliance would send multinational battalions to Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland at the request of these countries.