BALTIC DEFENCE COLLEGE/OFFICIAL

Mr Martin Herem Minister of Defence Estonian Ministry of Defence Sakala 1

15094 TALLINN E-mails: Janig, [email protected]

i nfo@ka itsemi n istee ri u m. ee 07.10.2026

)lo-P-t-/ar,6 TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION ARRANGEMENTS DURING THE RENOVATION OF THE BALTIC DEFENCE COLLEGE'S MAIN PREMISES AT RIIA 12, TARTU

aZr-, /'M'/o' /e'"ot, I am writing regarding the planned renovation of Riia 12 compound, jointly used by the BALTDEFCOL and Estonian Military Academy and, specifically, the temporary accommodation arrangements being considered for BALTDEFCOL.

The College strongly supports the renovation project. We regard it as urgent, strategically important and, in many respects, a generational investment in the future of the College and the nations it serves. lt should proceed with momentum and without unnecessary delay.

Against that background, I would like to express our concern regarding the possible relocation of the College to Liivi 4 facility in Tartu. Based on my recent site visit, the facility in its present condition does not appear suitable for College requirements without substantial adaptation, refurbishment and reconfiguration. While this was not a formaltechnical assessment, the scale of the work potentially required is evident.

This presents several concerns.

First, the scope, cost and duration of the necessary adaptation works remain uncertain. Bringing a temporary facility to an acceptable functional, technical and representational standard could require significant investment. Such expenditure should also be considered against the resources available for the permanent renovation of Riia 12.

Second, the preparation of Liivi4 introduces additional schedule risk. This arises both from the uncertainty surrounding the required adaptation works and from the anticipated competing use

of the facility by other institutions requiring temporary accommodation.

E-mail: [email protected] I Phone: +372 717 6400

12 Riia St, 51010, Tartu ESTONIA I www.baltdefcol.org

Third, there are substantive functional limitations. The largest room at Liivi 4 that could potentially serve as the College's principal lecture auditorium is approximately 135 m2,

compared with approximately 160 m'z at Riia 12 - around 16 per cent smaller. The existing auditorium at Riia 12 is already insufficient for current requirements, with a shortfall of at least 50 seats. Relocation to a smaller principalteaching space would therefore further constrain the delivery of the academic programme.

More broadly, the issue is institutional as well as functional. The College is an international Professional Military Education institution hosting foreign students, faculty, senior visitors and representatives of partner nations. lts physical environment forms part of how the institution is perceived. Operating for one or two academic years from premises that do not adequately meet the College's functional and representational requirements could therefore have a sustained reputational impact.

Any temporary solution will involve disruption. However, remaining within Riia '12 would materially reduce that disruption by preserving much of the existing security, technical, administrative and support infrastructure and by keeping the College within its established institutional environment.

For these reasons, I respectfully recommend that the proposed relocation to Liivi 4 be reconsidered and that an alternative arrangement within Riia 12 be examined as a priority. From the College's perspective, the most appropriate solution would be to relocate temporarily to the other wing of the building while the College's current premises are renovated, with the necessary temporary arrangements for the present occupants of that wing determined by the responsible Host Nation authorities.

We believe this approach would reduce project risk, avoid potentially disproportionate investment in a temporary facility, preserve the College's operational and institutional continuity, and keep resources and management attention focused on the permanent and timely renovation of Riia 12.

The College remains fully committed to supporting the Host Nation in taking this important project fonruard and stands ready to contribute actively to the planning and development process.

Y"q, s qhua \-

Egils Le5cinskis It/ajor General (LVA A) Commandant

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Distribution:

External: LTG Andrus Merilo, Commander of EDF, [email protected]: [email protected]

Mr Elmar Vaher, Director General of ECDI [email protected]; [email protected];

lnternal: COL Jonathan Huxley, DCDT/COS COL Raul Kutt, EST SNR

Drafter: CAPT (N) Juris Roze

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