On Monday, December 2, two-week international military exercises Pikne ("Lightning") began in Estonia, with NATO units participating.
According to the Estonian Defence Forces, in addition to Estonian units, forces from France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Latvia will take part.
"We will test synergy and cooperation between different countries, branches of the military, and units," said Colonel Janno Merk, Chief of Staff of the Estonian Division.
The main activities of the exercises, which will run from December 2 to 15, will take place primarily in northern and northeastern Estonia for land and air forces. Meanwhile, naval maneuvers involving the Estonian and French navies will occur along the coast of the Gulf of Finland.
The first week of the Pikne exercises will focus on deploying units and practicing combat operations, while the second week will feature live-fire training with allied units at the Sirgala training range.
Around 2,000 soldiers from Estonia and allied countries will participate in the exercises.
The Estonian Defence Forces warned that active aerial activities, including low-altitude flights, will take place in the region of northern and northeastern Estonia during the exercises.
