Estonian Defence League
（重定向自Kaitseliit）
![](/Images/godic/202501/21/Kaitseliit_emblem.svg2759.png")
![General Ernst Põdder was the first commander of the Estonian Defence League](/Images/godic/202501/21/Ernst_Põdder_-_Kaitseliit2759.jpg")
![Estonian Defence League troops at parade during interwar period.](/Images/godic/202501/21/Kaitseliitlased_Vabariigi_aastapäeva_paraadil_Petseris,_ERM_Fk_2870-1132759.jpg")
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The Estonian Defence League (Estonian:Eesti Kaitseliit) is the name of the unified paramilitary armed forces of the Republic of Estonia. The Defence League is a paramilitary defence organization whose 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 15 Defence League regional units, called malevs, whose areas of responsibility mostly coincide with the borders of Estonian counties.