The Estonian Defence Forces exercise Spring Storm 2026 has begun

On Monday, May 4, the military exercise Spring Storm 2026 began. The exercise will last for nearly a month and, at its peak, will involve over 12,000 soldiers from Estonia and allied nations. 

The goal of this year’s Spring Storm 2026 is to practice the planning and execution of defensive operations in cooperation between the Estonian Division and allies in the simulated conditions of conventional warfare. Simultaneously, cooperation between Estonian and allied units will be strengthened, involving other branches and commands of the Estonian Defence Forces. The primary training audiences of the exercise are the 2nd Infantry Brigade (Estonian Division) and Regional Command South (Estonian Defence League).

Spring Storm 2026 will take place from May 4 to June 1, primarily in Põlva, Tartu, Valga, Viljandi and Võru counties, as well as in northeastern Latvia. Conducting part of the exercise in northeastern Latvia enables strengthening cross-border military cooperation and practicing operations in the border region. Units from Estonia, France, Latvia and the United Kingdom will participate in the training activities held on Latvian territory.

The UK 4th Brigade, participating in the exercise, will be deployed from the United Kingdom to Estonia to practice integration of the brigade into the manoeuvres of the Estonian Division. This will also enable training the rapid deployment of the unit by the sending party, and host nation activities (RSOM, Reception, Staging, Onward Movement) by Estonia.

The activities planned for Spring Storm incorporate lessons learned from Russia’s war against Ukraine, both in terms of tactics as for the use of unmanned systems.

As part of exercise Spring Storm, the Estonian Defence Forces are organizing a testing of new solutions. Representatives of the defence industry will be able to implement their products in a training environment in cooperation with the units of the Estonian Defence Forces. The testing is organized by the Force Transformation Command, and its aim is to identify, in as realistic conditions as possible, the solutions that are operational and meet the needs of the Estonian Defence Forces.

The exercise will take place in several phases of varying intensity. At the beginning of the exercise, from May 4 to 9, the Estonian Division’s command post exercise will take place as an introductory phase, but from May 10 to 22, unit training exercises will first be held across Estonia, followed by training battles primarily in southeastern Estonia and northeastern Latvia. In the final phase of Spring Storm, from May 23 to June 1, designated units will conduct live-fire exercises at the Estonian Defence Forces Central Training Area.

Various simulation devices will be used during the exercise, including blank cartridges, training grenades, and flares. The use of heavy equipment, aircraft, and simulation devices may cause loud noise. Since loud noises can disturb both children and pets, the Estonian Defence Forces ask to, if possible, keep noise-sensitive animals in the exercise areas indoors, and explain the activity to the children.

The exercise will involve air activities over the entire territory of Estonia, during which attack and fighter aircraft as well as unmanned aerial systems are utilized.

Additionally, before, during, and after the exercise, there will be a notable presence of military vehicles on the roads throughout Estonia. Convoys of military vehicles typically consist of 10–15 vehicles, which usually travel at speeds of up to 70 km/h. The main convoy movements will take place:
•    May 6 – 10 in the direction of Paldiski–Jüri–Tartu–Võru–Valga;
•    May 10 – 15 in the directions of Ikla–Pärnu–Võru and Valga–Võru;
•    May 12 – 16 in the direction of Tapa–Tartu–Võru–Valga.

Participants of Spring Storm are doing everything in their power to avoid damaging civilian environment, including infrastructure and other objects, during movements or training activities. However, it is not always possible to fully prevent or rule out damage that may occur during intensive military exercises and the movement of large numbers of heavy military vehicles. If anyone’s property is damaged due to an unfortunate accident during the exercise, the Estonian Defence Forces ask that the Civilian-Military Cooperation Team be contacted at kevadtorm@mil.ee or +372 5745 0884 to document the damage.

Spring Storm is planned and led by the Headquarters of the Estonian Division, and the exercise involves units from the Land Forces, Air Force, and Navy, including the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigade, the Support Command, the Cyber Command, as well as other units of the Estonian Defence Forces and the Estonian Defence League. Representatives of the armed forces of the following allied and partner nations will participate in the exercise: Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Ukraine.

Spring Storm is the largest annual exercise of the Estonian Defence Forces, during which the planning and execution of military operations are practiced, and cooperation between Estonian and allied units is strengthened. The exercise involves active-duty personnel, conscripts, reservists, members of the Estonian Defence League, as well as troops from allied and partner nations. The first exercise Spring Storm was conducted in 2003, and currently this is the 20th Spring Storm. In 2015, 2018, 2022, and 2025, the exercise Hedgehog was held instead of Spring Storm.

JOINT HEADQUARTERS OF THE ESTONIAN DEFENCE FORCES
Tel: (+372) 5443 0504
E-mail: press@mil.ee 
www.mil.ee