EML Admiral Pitka (A230)
Værft Aalborg, Denmark
1970 tons
74.7 meters
12.2 meters
21 meters
5.3 meters
43 (8 officers )
18.5 knots ( 34.3 km / h )
6,000 nautical miles ( 11.000 km ) at 13 knots (24 km / h)
1 × 76 mm K M/61 LVSA Naval Gun 2 × 12,7 mm Browning M2HB HMGs
2 × Litton Decca E (I -band) radar navigation
Helicopter deck for a medium helicopter
Reinforced for Eisoperationen ( 1A ice class )
HDMS Beskytteren ( F340 ) was the eponymous frigate Beskytteren class of the Danish navy. In the years 2000-2013 she served EML Admiral Pitka under the name ( A230 ) as the flagship of Estonian Navy and was there for mine countermeasures Division Miinilaevade Divisjon. The captain during use for Estonia was Senior Lieutenant Peep Laanisto.
History
As HDMS Beskytteren ( F340 ) the ship in Denmark was built in the Værft Shipyard, Aalborg. The launching was on 29 May 1975 and the commissioning took place a year later, on 27 February 1976. The Danish Navy presented the Beskytteren in 2000 out of service and donated it to the Estonian Navy. The ship's name comes from the Estonian Admiral Johan Pitka. The coat of arms was unveiled during a ceremony on 21 November 2000.
The ship was built for the waters of the North Atlantic and Greenland, so it has an ice-strengthened hull for operations in ice-covered waters.
Second service (Estonian Marine)
Tasks
The command and support frigate Admiral Pitska was the first modernized frigate and the flagship of the Estonian Navy.
The ship was a platform for a guide rod which mine countermeasures missions and maneuvers conducted. ENS Admiral Pitka also had the task of supplying other participating ships with fuel, water, food. On board the ship there were offices and accommodation for the staff members and special facilities for medical treatment.
Tradition
The colors of the ship emblem knight of honor and represent the connections and the shared history between Estonia and Denmark. The shape of the cross reminds important role in the Estonian War of Independence to the Estonian Cross of Liberty and Admiral Johan Pitka. The motto of the ship is Pro Patria, which in German means for ( the ) country. The coat of arms was designed by Priit Herodes and Lieutenant Jaan Kapp. AS Falck Baltic donated the coat of arms of the Navy. In 2001, a cooperation agreement between the City Council of Rakvere and the frigate was signed, which gives the right to wear the coat of arms of the city of the ship and in return the city in foreign ports should imagine.
Inserts
The Admiral Pitka was part of the mine countermeasures Division Miinilaevade Divisjon. They therefore took part in numerous international operations and maneuvers. As a command frigate was also used in the Baltic Naval Squadron BALTRON.
From May 2005 to March 2006, the Admiral Pitka was assigned as lead ship of Standing NRF Mine Countermeasures Group 1 ( SNMCMG1 ) of NATO. ENS Admiral Pitka was thus the first ship of the Baltic States, which participated in this naval force of the NATO Response Force. SNMCMG1 is one of NATO's main partner of the Estonian Navy.