Main image: Indrek Jurtšenko/Viru Malev
International exercises Jörmungandr 24, Iron Woolf 2024-2, and training for the paramilitary formations Sibul are currently taking place in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
According to the Estonian Ministry of Defense and publications Delfi and ERR:
Jörmungandr 24
The event started on September 26 and will last until October 9 at a training ground near the Latvian city of Skrunda, which allows for battalion-level training. The Estonian Ministry of Defense emphasizes that there are currently no such training grounds in Estonia.
It is worth noting that Estonia is actively developing its training infrastructure for the military, with plans to spend 500 million euros on this process from 2025 to 2028.
"First and foremost, the training gives us the opportunity to practice combat operations at the company level in populated areas using infantry fighting vehicles. We will train for both defense and attack, utilizing the most realistic training equipment and scenarios," said Lieutenant Colonel Ranno Raudsiik, commander of the Estonian reconnaissance battalion.
In addition to the reconnaissance battalion, units from the Defense League, the Defense Academy, the General Staff of the Defense Forces, the Combat Support Battalion of the 1st Infantry Brigade, and other Estonian Defense Forces units will participate in a supporting role.
Iron Woolf 2024-2
The Iron Woolf 2024-2 exercises began on October 7 and will last until October 17. They will take place at the Silvestras Žukauskas training ground.
More than 3,200 Lithuanian and allied troops and 700 units of military equipment will participate in the event.
In addition to Lithuanian forces, troops from Belgium, the Czech Republic, the USA, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands, and Germany have been involved. From October 7 to 10, military vehicles will move along the roads of the Jonava, Ukmergė, Kaišiadorys, Elektrėnai, Vilnius, Nemenčinė, and Švenčionys districts.
Training munitions and pyrotechnics will also be used.
Sibul
From October 7 to 13, training for the Kaitseliit (volunteer paramilitary formations) called Sibul will take place in Southern Estonia, involving all regional structures of the organization.
"The main goal is to practice wartime tasks for the land defense units in the most realistic conditions. The primary activities of the units will focus on defensive actions: creating fighting positions and various barriers, preparing ambush sites, and securing and staffing checkpoints and roadblocks," explained Lieutenant Colonel Raul Kütt, head of the Southern District of Kaitseliit.
In addition to Kaitseliit members, reservists from the land forces will participate in the training, undergoing retraining on weapon handling and shooting skills.
The exercises will mainly cover the municipalities of Elva, Tõrva, Otepää, Valga, Viljandi, Mulgi, and Põhja-Sakala.
