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SZCZECIN, Poland - Conducted periodically, Estonia's biggest defence training exercise Spring Storm (Kevadtorm) started on Monday, May 15 and will last until May 26. Participants are approximately 14,000 personnel from across the Estonian Defence Forces and other NATO Allies. It is the first time that Spring Storm is led by the newly established Estonian Division which was transferred under the command of Multinational Corps Northeast in April 2023.

Spring Storm will see soldiers, airmen and sailors with the Estonian Army, Air Force, Navy and Defense League as well as conscripts and reservists, totaling around 9,000 personnel. Other participants are the UK-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroup Estonia in addition to service members from 11 Allied countries.

"In order to defend Estonia, it is very important for us to know our homeland, and this is exactly what we will be practicing together with our Allies during the exercise," said Lieutenant Colonel Feliks Roodvee, the planning officer for Spring Storm 23. "Expectations for the exercise are high, and we have all the conditions in place to meet the objectives of Spring Storm." 

During Spring Storm, the Estonian Defense Forces will validate the synchronization of battle plans, the cooperation across all command levels and units' readiness to perform combat tasks. The bulk of activities will encompass northern Estonia.

Estonia's biggest exercise Spring Storm is run periodically and encompasses all branches of the Estonian Defence Forces, conscripts and reservists, as well as Allied militaries © Estonian Defence Forces