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The Largest Estonian Military Exercise in 2025 Begins Today

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence

5. May 2025, 10:12

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.