Weeklong mock battles begin at Spring Storm
The Estonian Defence Forces' (EDF) large-scale annual exercise Spring Storm is entering into its crucial phase as weeklong mock battles, during the last days of which participating tanks will also join the action, begin on Thursday.
The mock battles will see the EDF's 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigades face off, with each side joined by participating allied units and heavy equipment. According to the scenario of the exercise, the 2nd Infantry Brigade, in the role of the enemy, will attack first.
The two brigades will meet in Ida-Viru County in Northeastern Estonia, where units of the 1st Brigade are headed from the EDF's Central Training Area and units of the 2nd are headed from Sirgala.
The mock battle scenario calls for five days of battles with light equipment followed by two with heavy equipment, which is when tank units will join the exercise.
Spring Storm, which began on May 8, includes nearly 9,000 servicemen, reservists and volunteer Estonian Defence League members as well as allied and partner troops.
In addition to Estonians and the British, French, Danish and U.S. troops stationed at Tapa, the exercise also includes troops from Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Georgia. U.S., Polish, Belgian and Spanish aircraft are also participating in the exercise.
Spring Storm will conclude on May 26 following a final lineup at the Central Training Area on May 25.
Editor: Aili Vahtla
