Today, on May 23, concluded the Estonian Defence Forces’ largest exercise of the year, Hedgehog 25. More than 16,000 troops from Estonia and Allied countries participated, bringing together military personnel from 14 nations to train defending Estonia on Estonian soil. The main evaluated units were the 1st Infantry Brigade of the Estonian Division and designated units from the Regional Command Northeast of the Estonian Defence League, which were declared combat-ready following the assessment.
“Today we can be more confident than we were three weeks ago when Exercise Hedgehog 25 began, that our reserve force is strong and capable, that the solid training of our conscripts gives them the confidence needed to carry out combat operations, and that our Allies stand strong by our side and are ready to support us with supplementary forces at any time. Importantly, all our units have received integration training to be collectively prepared to defend the freedom and sovereignty of both Estonia and all NATO member states,” said Major General Andrus Merilo, Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces, as the commanding officer of the exercise.
The Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces emphasized that such large-scale exercises and the commitment to defending the country are based on the support by the society. The families of participating troops, the employers of reservists, and those who supported the exercise by allowing use of their property have made a significant contribution to strengthening the national defense, and the Estonian Defence Forces are grateful for that.
The main objective of this year’s Exercise Hedgehog, held for the fifth time throughout the years, was to practice the execution of key tasks outlined in Estonia’s and regional defense plans in close cooperation with allies, while also assessing the combat readiness of the Estonian Defence Forces, the Estonian Defence League, and cooperation with Allied units. Particular focus was placed on the rapid and large-scale deployment of Allied forces to Estonia, including the United Kingdom’s 4th Brigade and supplementary French units, as well as on the reception, integration, and achieving immediate combat readiness of these units within the Estonian Division.
Exercise Hedgehog 25, held from May 5 to 23, began with the formation of Estonian Defence Forces’ units, followed by a week focusing on updating reservists’ skills and conducting field integration training. The highlight of the exercise was the simulated battles and maneuvers conducted from May 13 to 16, followed by a live-fire exercise involving Estonian and Allied units at the Estonian Defence Forces’ Central Training Area, Rutja area, and the Nursipalu training area from May 19 to 23.
Participating Estonian units included the Headquarters of Estonian Defence Forces, Headquarters and subordinate units of the Estonian Division, Cyber Command, Support Command, Navy, Air Force, Special Operations Command, Intelligence Centre, Military Police, Estonian Military Academy, and the Estonian Defense League. NATO Battlegroup in Estonia and the NATO’s Forward Integration Unit are also taking part.
In addition to personnel of the Estonian armed forces, units from more than ten countries took part in the exercise, including forces from the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Canada, Latvia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, and Portugal. Observers and instructors were also present from Japan, Israel, and Ukraine.
Exercise Hedgehog 25 was conducted within the framework of exercise Steadfast Deterrence 25, led by NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS) in the Netherlands. It also served as a preparatory step for participation of the Estonian Division at exercise Griffin Lightning 25, a tactical-level exercise of the Multinational Corps Northeast.
