Estonia begins massive Siil 2025 exercises with 1,500 British and French soldiers

Estonia has launched the deployment phase of its large-scale military exercise, Siil 2025, with the arrival of more than 1,500 troops from the United Kingdom and France. These forces are joining NATO’s battle group already stationed in the country, significantly strengthening allied presence ahead of the main phase of the drills.

The General Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces confirmed the development, noting that the deployment is taking place from April 14 to April 30, Caliber.Az reports via Estonian media.

British and French armed forces are bringing in large numbers of personnel and heavy military equipment to rehearse the rapid reinforcement of Estonia’s defence capabilities. The United Kingdom’s 4th Army Brigade forms the bulk of the deployment, contributing approximately 1,500 soldiers. France is sending mainly marine infantry units, in addition to those already present in Estonia before the exercises began.

The British brigade includes two battalions of light infantry equipped with Foxhound and Mastiff armoured vehicles, along with a light cavalry squadron operating Jackal reconnaissance vehicles. Supporting elements include snipers, artillery, anti-tank and machine-gun units, as well as engineering and logistical support teams. The allied units are arriving by air, sea, and land, allowing NATO to simulate various deployment scenarios and test the speed and efficiency of reinforcement procedures.

The main body of the Siil 2025 exercise will run from May 5 to May 23 and is expected to involve over 16,000 personnel from Estonia and allied countries. The drills are designed to assess the combat readiness of the Estonian Defence Forces and their units at an international level. The exercises will test the ability to respond to threat scenarios, practice rapid and large-scale deployment of allied forces, and review the preparedness of reservists while refreshing their military skills. Another key focus is improving Estonia’s regional defence measures in the face of potential military threats.

During the exercise, evaluators will assess the performance of the 1st Infantry Brigade of the Estonian Division and the Northeastern Defence District of the Estonian Defence League, Kaitseliit, to ensure they meet NATO operational standards. Special emphasis this year is being placed on the introduction, reception, and integration of additional allied forces into the Estonian Division, as well as achieving their immediate combat readiness upon arrival.

These drills take place as NATO continues its broader effort to strengthen deterrence on its eastern flank. In a parallel development, Germany is preparing for major exercises in the port city of Hamburg this autumn, based on a scenario involving a potential Russian attack that would require a swift transfer of allied forces to the eastern front.

Meanwhile, reports from Romania have pointed to delays in road repairs needed to support NATO military exercises, underscoring infrastructure challenges in the region.

By Tamilla Hasanova