Today, on 5 May, the Estonian Defense Forces launch Exercise Hedgehog 25, the largest international military exercise in Estonia this year, where more than 16,000 Estonian and allied troops are expected to participate.
Throughout the exercise, the movement of allied, Estonian Defense Forces, and Defense League units will be visible across the country.
The primary combat training activities will take place in northeastern Estonia at the Central Training Area, and in southeastern Estonia at the Nursipalu training area, including surrounding regions.
In western, northern, and central Estonia, participating units will support divisional operations and secure rear-area zones. As a result, various weapon systems and military vehicles may be visible across the country.
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. NATO Battlegroup in Estonia and the NATO’s Forward Integration Unit are also taking part.
In addition to Estonian armed forces personnel, units from more than ten countries are involved 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 will also be present from Japan, Israel, and Ukraine.
United Kingdom’s 4th Brigade, and the French units that support it, will fully integrate into the Estonian division. Exercise Hedgehog 25 marks the first major training event in which the 4th Brigade participates as part of the Estonian Division’s structure at this scale.
Exercise Timeline:
- 5–7 May: Unit formation and deployment across various locations in Estonia
- 8–12 May: Integration and interoperability training across the country
- 13–16 May: Field training in a 24/7 rhythm, primarily in northeast and southeast Estonia, with limited activity in other regions
- 17–18 May: Preparations for units’ redeployment and live-fire exercises
- 19–23 May: Live-fire exercises at the Central Training Area and movement of units back to their designated locations.
On 14 May, as part of the exercise, the Estonian Defence Forces and the Estonian Rescue Board will jointly test the national emergency alert system, including public warning sirens, for the first time. Sirens will sound in over 20 settlements across Estonia, reaching approximately 65% of the population.
This will be a system test intended to evaluate functionality and inter-agency cooperation. The Estonian Defence Forces encourage the public to inform family members, especially children and the elderly. Upon hearing the sirens, the public may continue their normal activities—there is no real threat during the test.
More information is available at: www.olevalmis.ee.
During the exercise, units will employ training aids such as blank ammunition, simulation grenades, and flares. The use of heavy equipment, aircraft, and pyrotechnics may result in elevated noise levels. The Estonian Defence Forces advise residents near exercise areas to keep noise-sensitive pets indoors where possible and to explain the purpose of the activity to children.
Participating units will make every effort to avoid damage to infrastructure. Most activities will occur on state- or municipality-owned land. Any private land used has been pre-coordinated with the landowners. However, accidental damage may still occur. In such cases, the Defense Forces ask affected individuals to document the damage and contact the exercise’s Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) team at [email protected] or +372 5745 0884.
Exercise Hedgehog 25 is the Estonian Defense Forces’ largest training event this year, focused on planning and executing military operations and enhancing interoperability between Estonian and allied units. Participants include active-duty personnel, conscripts, reservists, Defense League members, and allied soldiers. In total, over 16,000 personnel is expected take part of the exercise.
The exercise Hedgehog 25 is conducted within the framework of NATO’s Steadfast Deterrence 25, led by NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS) in the Netherlands. It also serves as a preparatory step for the Estonian division’s participation in Griffin Lightning 25, a tactical-level exercise supporting NATO’s regional plans for the Multinational Corps Northeast.
