Today during the Spring Storm exercise, French allied units installed a combat support ferry at Pikasilla on the Väike-Emajõgi River, which supported the 2nd Infantry Brigade’s engineer battalion and Danish recon units during a tactical crossing manoeuvre.
According to Lieutenant Antoine, the commander of the French engineer platoon, the combat support ferry placed on the Väike-Emajõgi is capable of transporting lighter military vehicles, including trucks. “We have been collaborating with the 2nd Infantry Brigade’s engineer battalion for nearly three months, and today provided another excellent opportunity to hone our skills,” said Lieutenant Antoine.
Ensign Hargo Liiving, the commander of the Engineer Battalion’s bridge platoon, noted that the river crossing went smoothly, without any surprises. “Everything has proceeded smoothly, and we’ve encountered no technical issues. In addition to the reliability of the equipment, I’d also highlight the pleasant cooperation with our French colleagues,” he added.
The 2nd Infantry Brigade’s Engineer Battalion evaluated the suitability of the combat support ferry for Estonian conditions, including necessary preparation work, requirements for the water body and riverbanks, and the timing and technical standards for setting up the ferry.
Spring Storm is the largest annual exercise of the Estonian Defence Forces, during which military operations planning and execution are practiced, as well as enhanced cooperation between Estonian and allied units. The exercise involves active-duty military personnel, conscripts, reservists, members of the Defence League, and participants from allied nations.
Spring Storm 2024 is part of the NATO exercise series Steadfast Defender 2024, representing a significant component of this extensive NATO exercise. Steadfast Defender 2024 is the largest NATO exercise in decades, with nearly 90,000 participants from all 32 member states participating over a six-month period from January to July 2024. The broader framework for the exercise has been set by confirmed NATO regional defence plans.
