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Estonian Navy and the Estonian Defence League Exercised Island Defense Together with Allies

Republic of Estonia - Defence Forces

30. July 2025, 17:14

From 29-30th July, the Finnish Navy, in cooperation with the Estonian Navy and the Estonian Defence League Saaremaa District, carried out a maritime landing training exercise Sunny Beach in the Unda and Ninase peninsulas of Saaremaa.

"During the exercise, a range of operational scenarios are rehearsed, including maritime formation maneuvers, land-based tactical drills, as well as the seizure and defense of key objectives. The training significantly enhances our interoperability by streamlining joint procedures, improving situational awareness, and strengthening command and control systems. The defense of the Western Estonian archipelago holds strategic importance not only for national security, but also within the framework of collective defense. It ensures freedom of movement and operational access in the central and northern Baltic Sea region." said the Commander of the Navy, Commodore Ivo Värk.

During the exercise, a Finnish Navy landing unit conducted an amphibious landing on the Unda and Ninase peninsulas of Saaremaa, utilizing Jehu-class vessels and helicopters. The operation was supported by escort ships from the Estonian Navy. Upon landing, the allied unit practiced procedures for securing and establishing control over the coastal zone. The training exercise was conducted together with the the Estonian Defence League Saaremaa District, who were practicing their procedures on coastal and regional defence.

"Nyland Brigade Coastal Jaegers are a highly mobile unit and can carry out missions quickly and effectively in littoral conditions. Joint training with Estonian Navy is a perfect way of developing our shared readiness and promotes safety and stability in the Baltic Sea region", tells Captain (N) Marko Laaksonen, Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations of Finnish Navy.

The primary participants in the exercise was the Readiness Unit of the Nyland Brigade from the Finnish Navy and the Estonian Defence League Saaremaa Disctrict. Supporting elements included personnel from the Estonian Navy's Maritime Operations Centre and staff, as well as the naval vessels Admiral Cowan, Ugandi, Valve and Finnish Navy ship Pyhäranta.

The Finnish Navy Nyland Brigade readiness unit, which is a part of Amphibious Task Unit, performs tasks in coastal and archipelago conditions. The Readiness Unit can be transported with combat boats, armoured personnel carriers and by air. The unit has the ability to carry out combat, patrol and reconnaissance missions and it is interoperable with various allied troops.