News

Today, November 14, the Estonian Defence Forces launched an operation, led by the Estonian Air Force, to create conditions for rapid response to possible air threats. The threat of a direct military attack against Estonia remains low, and the overall threat assessment has not changed, but the possibility of isolated drone and air incidents remains. The operation is a continuation of previously initiated training in responding to air threats, and is led by the Estonian Air Force.

On Friday, October 31, a two-day meeting of the Chiefs of Defence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania concluded with signing a joint declaration.

The multinational military exercise Pikne culminated with live-fire training at Nursipalu training area, where reservists from the Artillery Regiment conducted fire missions using rocket launcher systems HIMARS and self-propelled artillery systems CAESAR.

On friday, the morning of September 19, three Russian fighter jets MIG-31 entered Estonian airspace in the Vaindloo Island area without permission, and remained there for approximately 12 minutes.

On Thursday, September 18, a two-week multinational exercise called Pikne („Lightning“) will begin in Estonia. The aim of the exercise is to practice the rapid deployment of allied units to Estonian territory and the repulsion of a potential enemy as a multinational force. The exercise will be led by the Estonian Defence Forces Division, and in addition to units from the Estonian Defence Forces and the Estonian Defence League, allied units from France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Latvia, and Canada will also participate.

As part of the Nordic and Baltic training initiative Legio, the Estonian Defence Forces have sent a team of up to 10 active duty and reserve military personnel, and members of the Estonian Defence League, to Poland to train Ukrainian soldiers.

During a formal ceremony held at the Paldiski military base on Tuesday, August 12, Command Sergeant Major Enn Adoson handed over the position of Command Sergeant Major of the Estonian Defence Forces to Sergeant Major Andreas Rebane.

From 29-30th July, the Finnish Navy, in cooperation with the Estonian Navy and the Estonian Defence League Saaremaa District, carried out a maritime landing training exercise Sunny Beach in the Unda and Ninase peninsulas of Saaremaa.

Today, on May 23, concluded the Estonian Defence Forces' largest exercise of the year, Hedgehog 25. More than 16,000 troops from Estonia and Allied countries participated, bringing together military personnel from 14 nations to train defending Estonia on Estonian soil. The main evaluated units were the 1st Infantry Brigade of the Estonian Division and designated units from the Regional Command Northeast of the Estonian Defence League, which were declared combat-ready following the assessment.

19.-23. May, Live Fire Exercises between Estonian and allied units are taking place at the Estonian Defence Forces' Central Training Area, Rutja, and Nursipalu training area. This is the last part of the ongoing exercise Hedgehog 25. During the firing exercises, combat conditions are simulated realistically, focusing on testing and enhancing the interoperability of the units.