On Monday, December 2, a two-week-long multinational military exercise Pikne (“lightning”) kicks off in Estonia, bringing increased Allied presence and activities on the sea, in the air and on land to North-East Estonia. Exercise Pikne is part of NATO Vigilance Activity Brilliant Eagle, focusing on Allied rapid deployability and interoperability in the Baltic Sea region.
Exercise Pikne is conducted from December 2 to 15, mainly in North and North-East Estonia and on the Gulf of Finland. During the exercise, NATO is practicing the rapid deployment of its forces to a conflict zone, integrating them into a multinational battlegroup in Estonia, and conducting operations as a multinational force to counter an emerging threat on land, in the air, and at the sea. Nearly 2,000 participants from Estonia, Latvia, USA, France and United Kingdom are taking part of the exercise. First week of the exercise will focus on deployment and cooperation in multiple areas of North-East Estonia, while during the second week a live fire exercise is conducted on Sirgala training area.
Several units of the Estonian Defence Forces and Estonian Defence League are involved in exercise Pikne, as are the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Estonia, Baltic Air Policing and allies that are deployed to Estonia specifically for the exercise.
During the exercise, low-altitude flights will take place in the North-Eastern part of Estonia to simulate close air support, additionally simulation ammunition is used on the ground. The use of heavy equipment, aircraft, and simulation ammo may cause increased level of noise. As loud noises can disturb both children and domestic animals, the Estonian Defence Forces recommend keeping noise-sensitive animals indoors where possible, and explaining the children the source of the noise.
Additionally, during the exercise there will be an increased number of military equipment and convoys on the roads. The Estonian Defence Forces are counting on the patience and understanding of fellow commuters.
NATO Multinational Battlegroups are deployed to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Currently United Kingdom, France and Iceland are manning the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Estonia and contributing to Estonian defence.
