Vahur Karus
Chief of Staff of the Joint Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces
Major General Vahur Karus is the Chief of Staff of the Joint Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces since June 2024. He has been serving in the Estonian Defence Forces since 1993. Besides Estonia, he received his military education in Sweden and the United States. He has served as the Commander of the Scouts Battalion, the Military Advisor to the Chief of Defence of Estonia, and the Deputy Head of the National Defence Planning Department at the Ministry of Defence of Estonia. Prior to becoming the rector of the Estonian Military Academy, Maj Gen Karus was the Commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade. From 2002 to 2003, he participated in an overseas mission in Kosovo, and from 2006 to 2007, he was the Commander of the Estonian contingent in Afghanistan. Maj Gen Karus has been recognised with several awards, including for participation in international military operations, the Land Officer’s Gold Cross, the Scouts Battalion Decoration, the Defence Forces Decoration, and the Service Cross for Meritorious Service in National Defence.
Updated: November 10, 2025