Estonia is preparing for one of its largest defence operations in recent history as the Siil 2025 military exercises (Hedgehog 2025) are set to take place from 5 to 23 May. The exercises will include participation from NATO allies, with troops and equipment from the United Kingdom and France already arriving in Estonia ahead of the drills.
According to Estonian broadcaster ERR, the training will involve joint operations across land, sea, and air, testing the responsiveness of allied forces and the efficiency of Estonia’s logistics and military coordination systems.
Allied Forces Arrive in Estonia for Siil 2025
The deployment of British and French forces is ongoing from 14 to 30 April, with the goal of practicing rapid deployment and strengthening collective defence in response to growing regional security concerns. Estonian logistics, military police, navy, air force, and units from the Northern District of the Kaitseliit Territorial Defence League will also be involved in the exercises.
Major Toomas Pärnpuu, Commander of the Movement and Transport Service at Estonia’s Support Command, described the mobilisation as a key opportunity to enhance logistical preparedness. “The smooth and safe reception of our allies by land, sea, and air is critical to our national defence,” he said.
UK Deploys 1,500 Troops and Combat Vehicles
Approximately 1,500 soldiers from the British Army’s 4th Brigade will participate in Siil 2025. The force includes two infantry battalions using Foxhound and Mastiff armoured vehicles and a light cavalry squadron with Jackal reconnaissance vehicles. Additional support units include artillery, snipers, anti-tank and machine-gun squads, along with engineers and logistics personnel to ensure full operational capability.
French Marine Infantry Joins NATO Defence Operations
French forces already stationed in Estonia will be reinforced by units from the French Marine Infantry as part of the joint exercises. Their deployment reflects France’s ongoing commitment to NATO’s eastern flank and regional stability.
Baltic States on Alert Over Escalating Russian Threat
Siil 2025 comes amid growing fears of Russian aggression in the Baltics. Defence ministers from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania recently warned that Russia’s ambitions may not stop at Ukraine, especially following international efforts—potentially led by a future Trump administration—to negotiate a ceasefire.
Estonia has already taken preventive measures, including banning Russian and Belarusian citizens from voting and granting its military permission to sink hostile vessels. In parallel, the country continues to support Ukraine militarily, with 10,000 artillery shells due to be delivered in the coming weeks.
The scale and urgency of the Siil 2025 military exercises reflect heightened geopolitical tensions and Estonia’s determination to strengthen national and regional defence.
