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Members of the 61st Combat Service Support Battalion are required to go immediately to rally points that are specified in their invites

Okas 2019 is a readiness exercise with a purpose to test the chain of command from the decision of Estonian government to the gathering of reservists in their units. There is no immediate threat to Estonian security.

The mission of Estonian Defence Forces is to be ready for different scenarios, including these that are very unlikely to happen. EDF is ready to defend Estonia and is practicing it during exercises

Estonian national security concept is based on reserve service that has proved itself to be efficient and viable deterrent measure. The reason for this kind of peace time exercises is to maintain and improve rapid reaction capabilities.

EDF is inviting reservists regularly to different military training exercises with a longer 120-days-notice.

With stones, if necessary – that is what fighting for our country was like then. Fighting for a country that only existed in dreams thus far. In 1999, Hugo Saalis was happy with the Republic of Estonia, because our own state meant a great deal to him.

Today, we are willing to do what Hugo Saalis and the rest did 100 years ago. Today, we no longer have to use stones, because our equipment has far exceeded it.

As our recent reservist training has shown, we are even more prepared than back in those days. Over 60% of those invited participate in reservist training. Most of those who are absent, however, still know their obligations and inform the Estonian Defence Forces of their issues.

The countries whose reserve forces we have considered as our role model for more than twenty years, do not merely deem the participation rate of our reservist training satisfactory... they consider it GOOD in terms of the amount and speed of citizen participation. As the Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces, I can say that in terms of citizen preparedness – to take arms and defend their country –, the Republic of Estonia is among the top of the world. However, I do not say this to highlight the great work of the servicemen, but rather to emphasise the loyalty of our citizens.

For instance, Igor Ahmedov – a crazy guy who travelled all the way from London when his country called.

We can dispute and sometimes even get into nasty fights about the development of our country on a daily basis. However, world views are set aside during reservist training and people do not confront each other, but stand by one another in the name of their country. Perhaps the best example of this is the Estonian Defence League, which brings together tens and hundreds of citizens of the Republic of Estonia with different views of the world every weekend – as one force in the defence of Estonia. The Estonian Defence League brought together over 9,000 such citizens last year during training exercise Siil. People with different world views, different nationalities – but all of them organised and working for the same cause.

I would like to thank all reservists and conscripts for their contribution! We must also acknowledge the reservists’ families and employers who have facilitated their participation in national defence. Your contribution is essential and demonstrates the strength of our country. I will say it once more, thanks to you, we are ready... on a global scale.

I also invite all citizens of the Republic of Estonia to participate in national defence. Through conscription and reservist training. Or as a Member of the Defence League, Assistant Police Officer or Volunteer Rescuer. Irrespective of gender and physical abilities. I believe we can do even better. I believe that we are capable of utilising the free will of our citizens. Reservist training, in addition to the Song Festival, could be perceived as something that unifies us.

However, we also have stronger alliances than the Republic of Estonia did at the time of the War of Independence. The allied troops stationed in Estonia today, in Ämari, Tapa and Tallinn, are not here just for demonstration, and certainly not to frighten anyone. They are here for the military defence of the Republic of Estonia – if it is ever needed. The decisiveness and intentions of our allies have never been as clear as they are today.

We will witness another new development in making our region safer as early as this year. An international Division Headquarter is being established in Adaži, Latvia. Most of the staff comes from Latvia, Denmark and Estonia, but other countries will be contributing as well. This is a development that will bind the protection of Estonia and Latvia into one whole, making it part of the security of the entire Baltic Sea region.

Estonia will also be holding three larger training events, which will focus on the practice of strengthening our Defence Forces.

And we must never forget that our alliances are based on common values, which have been repeatedly confirmed at the cost of the lives of Estonian soldiers, as well as the lives of our allies.

Today, here at the Freedom Square, we can only see a part of the troops that are ready to protect the freedom of Estonia, our common values. The servicemen who are standing under our flags, as well as the flags of our allies only represent a small portion. A far greater force can watch from the sidelines today – and that force is you and your will, dear citizens of the Republic of Estonia.

Long live the Republic of Estonia!

The Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, the second in command of the Estonian Defence Forces Major General Indrek Sirel and also representatives of the participating nations and defence forces participated in the ceremony. 

“The Danish volunteers fought alongside us during the War of Independence and your service in the enhanced forward presence battle group is another significant contribution to the security of Estonia and whole Europe as well,” said the prime minister while thanking the Danish soldiers for their contribution.

“I believe that the experienced Chasseur Ardennais are not daunted by the Estonian winter nor the Estonian forests. I hope that you find the time to experience the Estonian hospitality while being off duty,” added the prime minister while greeting the Belgian contingent of whom many soldiers are from the Chasseur Ardennais battalion.

The Belgian contingent has nearly 300 troops in it and the core from the Chasseur Ardennais battalion. The Belgians brought nearly 100 vehicles with them, including armoured personnel carriers Piranha. The newly arrived infantry unit is reinforced with mortars, combat engineers, logistical support element and military police as well. 

Major David Paitier, the Belgian senior national representative said that his troops are glad the join the battle group and that they are thankful for the help and support the Belgian troops got while deploying to Estonia.

The Estonian and Belgian defence forces have a long standing cooperation ranging from naval cooperation to air-defence. Also the Belgian have contributed to the Baltic Air Policing mission with multiple deployments.

According to Norwegian representative to the OSCE, Brigadier General Bjoern Tore Solberg, with the 15 nations the visit underlines the importance of transparency based on Vienna document.

“We are really impressed as the observers from the OSCE of this huge defence will that we have learned during this observation. Even talking to conscripts, NCOs, officers that are professionals, there´s a really strong will to defend Estonia and to do this in a combined and joint effort with Allies,” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Westermann from the Arms Control, Disarmament, and WMD Non-proliferation Centre at NATO Headquarters, said.

“We do have an enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group here and this a good experience to see how they integrate and work together,” he added.

Exercise Siil 2018, involving over 15,000 Allied and partner troops from 19 different countries, as well as forces from NATO's enhanced Forward Presence, started in Estonia Tuesday, May 2. Nearly 1,800 professional; 2,600 conscript; 9,000 voluntary Defence League and reserve and 2,100 Allied and partner troops are participating in the biggest training event Estonia has hosted since re-gaining independence.

In addition to military forces, Estonia´s volunteer paramilitary Women’s Home Defence Organization, police and rescue workers contribute to train the broad-based defence. The exercise focuses on defensive territorial manoeuvres in the context of both conventional and unconventional warfare.

The second phase starting this week will mainly take place in Võru, Põlva, Valgamaa and Northern Latvia. In this phase, Estonia´s 2nd Infantry Brigade together with Allied and partner troops train in cooperation against the opposing 1st Infantry Brigade and the NATO battlegroup units.

Observers from Belorussia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sweden, United Kingdom, Ukraine, U.S., NATO HQ and SHAPE observed the exercise.

Estonia  tests regularly its armed forces readiness and there is no imminent threat to country´s security. The exercise scenario is not aimed at any specific country and is purely defensive in nature.

The exercise is also to test the Defence Forces´ assembly and logistics capabilities.

In addition to military, Siil – one of the biggest Allied National Exercises in the region this year, brings together volunteer paramilitary Defence League, Women’s Home Defence Organization, police and rescue workers to train broad-based defence, a concept that the country adopted after restoring independence. The exercise will focus on the defensive territorial maneuvers in the context of both conventional and unconventional warfare.

According to Estonia´s Commander of Defence Forces, General Riho Terras the modern defence involves actors both from the military as well as from the private and public sector. “Everyone´s role is important, it´s crucial that the state and its citizens work together in defending the country,” he added.

The exercise is divided into two stages: during the first stage, lasting until the May 6, the formation of the Defence League and Defence Forces will be initiated and combat readiness achieved. Light infantry companies and enforcement units of the Defence League will be training internal security tasks with the Police and Border Guard, including carrying out evacuation of the local population with support from the Women’s Home Defence Organization.

The second phase or the battle-training phase lasts from May 7 to 13 mainly in Võru, Põlva, Valgamaa and Northern Latvia, when the Estonia´s 2^nd Infantry Brigade together with Allied and Partner troops train in cooperation against the opposing 1nd Infantry Brigade and the NATO Battle Group units.

Over 30 observers, also from Russia and Belorussia, as well as from OSCE and other international organisations will monitor the exercise.

Defending the Republic of Estonia is the most important task for the members of the Estonian Defence Forces and of the Estonian Defence League. We fulfil this task unconditionally and with great dedication.

It's been a hundred years since the days when our forefathers swore to protect our young country. They did this in the War of Independence, along with the entire Estonian nation.

The victory in the Estonian War of Independence was needed in order to fulfil the dream of having our own country. This, in turn, was needed in order to secure this small nation’s belief in itself. The War of Independence provided a very clear message – everything is possible if a nation strives for it with all its might.

That message could not be overpowered by foreign powers or mass deportations. The message was carried worth and it helped our people survive.

One of the best examples of determination and faith in Estonia was set by Corporal Eduard Kuuskor. He is fifty-three days older than the Republic of Estonia. His life story can be seen as the history of the Estonian state in one person. Corporal Kuuskor was one of the brave combat signallers who initiated armed resistance against the Red Army invaders in the battle of the Raua Street on 21 June 1940. During the Second World War, he was the signaller of the Haukka group. After which he spent more than twenty years in Soviet prison camps and places of deportation. Today, this mighty gentleman lives in Keila. We wish him all the best for Estonia’s birthday.

Dear compatriots!

The skills and knowledge of Corporal Kuuskor enabled him to aid the resistance movement.

We need to ensure that the skills and knowledge of our people would be applied to defending Estonia in the most efficient way, even today. The Estonian Defence Forces need to be oriented to the future and make good use of the strong suits of our people and country. Our innovation is led by the entire society of Estonia.

We already have cyber conscripts who, due to their preparation and quick wits, are able to protect Estonia in cyberspace. The defence industry in Estonia is becoming stronger and more visible. It has found recognition and cooperation opportunities all over the world. We also need to apply more of our own defence industry technologies and solutions in the Estonian Defence Forces.

The Estonian Defence Forces can be future-oriented only if we know our strengths and learn from experience.

In recent years, training exercises have become a natural part of the life of a reservist. These training events are often announced unexpectedly and without prior notice. This is a very necessary practice, as it is the only way in which we can get a clear picture of our mobilisation capacity. SIIL 2018, the largest training exercise of the Estonian Defence League, will start in May of this year and its participants will include members of the Estonian Defence League and of the Naiskodukaitse (Women's Voluntary Defence Organization), reservists, conscripts, servicemen in active service and allied units.

It is important to keep in mind that training exercises are a normal part of the national defence system. We have gained understanding and support from the families, communities and employers of the defenders of our country. This support is highly appreciated by the Estonian Defence Forces and the Estonian Defence League.

Our independent defence capacity and the collective defence based on NATO are equally important for the defence of Estonia.

The strength of our alliances lies in unity. Unity is an armature, around which the most powerful alliance can be cast. For Estonia, this refers to the presence of allies. This presence is the basis of military deterrence. The NATO battle group stationed at Tapa and the Baltic Air Policing mission at Ämari, as well as allied units, which take part in the training exercises, have become integral parts of the activities of the Estonian Defence Forces. This is an everyday occurrence for close allies.

In addition to the British, the UK-led battle group currently also includes units from Denmark and Iceland. The Danish company that currently serves at Tapa is exactly the same in size as the Danish volunteer unit, which on 4 April 1919, came to the aid of Estonians in the War of Independence, with 189 fighters. We thank our allies who have sent their men and women to Estonia. This is the most effective way to defend NATO. We are also well-informed and ready to respond where our help is needed.

Our troops serve alongside the French and British, Americans and Finns, as well as soldiers from many other countries. Situations that require military intervention surround Europe in several directions. We need to stay vigilant and ready for complicated missions far away from home.

Dear people of Estonia!

The defenders of the Republic of Estonia find the public’s support very important. This is evident right now, at the Freedom Square, as well, as the sincere interest in national defence and our homeland is reflected in everyone’s eyes. We feel it every spring when the symbol of the veterans, the blue bloom of Hepatica is visible all over Estonia.

Our connection with the nation remains strong thanks to the fact that everyone has the chance to contribute to national defence. Let's try to give young people more opportunities to participate in the matters of their country, as they and their descendants will be the ones to witness the next century in Estonia. Understanding and respect for your country starts from home, is cultivated in school and lasts a lifetime.

“May it last for ever,” is Corporal Eduard Kuuskor’s birthday wish to the 100-year-old Republic of Estonia, “without any external forces, with our own people and our own nation.” Let’s honour this wish. We need to remember that the independence and freedom of our people has never been self-evident and should never be taken for granted. The Estonian state was established to protect our people and our freedom.

Long live the Republic of Estonia!

The troops of the 13^th Infantry Battalion are expected to show up in Jõhvi garrison not later than 09.00 on the 7^th December 2017. The personnel will be notified using SMS, e-mail and state media and all relevant information will also be available on Estonian Defence Forces official webpage .

Reservists are encouraged to log on to Government e-Portal and check whether the notification applies to them by turning to national defence obligation registry.

All reservists expected to report to their unit can also receive more information by calling +372 717 8050 or e-mailing .