This year, the Spring Storm exercise will for the first time involve the public in air threat notifications through the mobile app “Ole valmis!” (“Be Prepared!”).
The Women’s voluntary defence organization’s (Naiskodukaitse) app will receive an update on May 10, and with it, users can report observed aircraft, whether it be a plane, helicopter, or drone.
“The Russian Federation constantly bombs Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure with cruise missiles and drones. Ukraine learned to detect these weapon systems, among other things, by involving the citizens. Today, we are also creating a similar network in Estonia so that in the event of an air attack on Estonia, the defence forces along with allies can shoot down the missiles and drones before they hit their targets,” said Commander of the Air Force Brigadier General Toomas Susi.
Directly learned from Ukraine, but a completely new function for Estonia, every user of the app can point out an observed aircraft in the sky and send a corresponding report. The report’s location and direction vector, along with a picture, are transmitted to a server where all data combined contribute to a recognized air picture. Similar to Flight Radar, but for the military – to enhance civil defence.
The air threat notification function in the “Ole valmis!” app will be available from May 10 to May 31, but the main testing period is planned for May 14-16, during which there will be more active flight operations at the Spring Storm exercise. Notifications of observed objects in the air can be made across all of Estonia, but notifications are especially expected from the areas of the Spring Storm exercise, including Pärnu County, Lääne County, Viljandi County, and Saaremaa. Notifications can be made about any aircraft observed in the exercise area. Their identification and further action is the responsibility of the Air Force.
The defence forces ask for the active participation of voluntary civilians. Let’s work together to strengthen Estonia’s defence.
If the “Ole valmis!” app is present on the user’s mobile phone and automatic updates are activated, the update along with the air threat notification function will automatically be installed on May 10. If updates are not activated, the app must be manually updated starting from May 10 or re-downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
