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.
“The conscripts have managed to overcome exhaustion after long-term exercises and are doing very well. Our allies can also witness our conscripts’ professionalism when operating here in their last month of service,” said Major Toomas Rein from the Operations and Training Department of the 2nd Infantry Brigade Headquarters, who conducted the Live Fire Exercises.
The Live Fire Exercises involve troops from the Estonian Defence Forces 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigades, as well as allied units from the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. The units will use indirect fire support weapons such as 81mm and 120mm mortars, Javelin and Spike SR anti-tank weapons, as well as Carl Gustav M4 and Instalaza C90 anti-tank grenade launchers. Higher-level fire support is provided by the division’s artillery battalion with 155mm CAESAR mobile artillery and the Estonian Defence League’s drone teams.
„Participating in this multinational exercise, culminating in a live-fire phase under near-realistic conditions, has significantly strengthened our readiness, interoperability, and collective ability to respond to operational challenges,“ said the Senior National Representative of French contigent in Estonia, Lieutenant Colonel Woillemont.
During the exercise, the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigades perform the task of holding their positions. When the training battles moved to the main positions, the loss of some positions was also simulated, which were recaptured with counterattacks supported by a Company from the 5th Squadron of the United States 7th Cavalry Regiment. The United States units used their Bradley infantry fighting vehicles to support the battles, the counterattack was also supported by the Estonian engineer unit and allies from the United Kingdom on AW159 Wildcat helicopters.
“Cooperation with allies is very good. The United States units on Bradleys offers the unit commanders of both the 3rd Kuperjanov Battalion and Kalev Infantry Battalion experience for integrating them into their battle plans, so that they can together reach a conquering end in the battle,” added Major Rein.
Joint exercises between the Estonian Defence Forces and allied forces develop interoperability and strengthen ties between units, better preparing the armed forces to defend Estonian territory in any combat situation.
In the exercise Hedgehog 25, participating Estonian units include the Joint Headquarters of Estonian Defence Forces, Estonian Division’s Headquarters and Division’s subordinate units, also Cyber Command, Support Command, Navy, Air Force, Special Operations Command, Intelligence Centre, Military Police, Estonian Military Academy, and the Estonian Defense League as well as NATO Battlegroup in Estonia and the NATO’s Forward Integration Unit from allied forces.
In addition to Estonian armed forces personnel, units from more than ten countries are involved in the exercise Hedgehog 25, including forces from the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Canada, Latvia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, and Portugal. Observers and instructors from Japan, Israel, and Ukraine have also participated.
