Estonian Defence League

Estonian Defence League
Kaitseliit
Active	1918–1940 1990–present
Country	Estonia
Type	Light infantry, Militia
Size	Defence League: 18,000 (2024)[1] Affiliate organizations: 11,000 (2024)
Anniversaries	11 November (formed) 17 February (restored)
Engagements	Estonian War of Independence
Website	www.kaitseliit.ee/en
Commanders
Commander	Major general Ilmar Tamm
Chief of Staff	Colonel Eero Rebo

The Estonian Defence League (Estonian: Kaitseliit, 'Defence League') is a voluntary national defence organization of the Republic of Estonia, under management of the Ministry of Defence. Its aim is to guarantee the preservation of the independence and sovereignty of the state, the integrity of its land area and its constitutional order.

The Defence League possesses arms and engages in military exercises, fulfilling the tasks given to it by the law. The organization is divided into 4 Territorial Defence Districts that consist of 15 Defence League regional units, called malevs, whose areas of responsibility mostly coincide with the borders of Estonian counties.