The Orchestra of the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) takes up some â¬1.4 million of the national security budget yearly and as a cost-saving measure, Lt. Gen. Martin Herem has decided to cut the group, starting September 1.
In addition, the EDF s chaplain s service will also cease to exist in its current form. The EDF currently holds 10 chaplains, but Minister of Defense Kalle Laanet (Reform) could not tell ERR what the exact cost of the service is. The orchestra costs the EDF roughly â¬1.4 million a year, Laanet said.
The EDF chief s decisions have caused an uproar and plenty questions in the public. Laanet commented on the decision: All in good time. Let s see how it is best to solve these situations from the state s perspective.