Finnish troops to join major military drills in Estonia this May Siil/Hedgehog 25

The Finnish Army has stated that around 240 Finnish servicemen will take part in large-scale military exercises in Estonia this May.

"The Pori Brigade formation will take part in the Siil/Hedgehog 25 exercise in Estonia from May 8 to 18, 2025. The unit will consist of approximately 240 personnel," the statement reads, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The Finnish Army clarified that Hedgehog 25 is an annual exercise organised by the Estonian Defence Forces and will be held from May 5 to 23. Around 15,000 servicemen are expected to participate, including troops from the United States, Denmark, France, Latvia, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Finland.

The Siil or Hedgehog exercise is one of Estonia’s largest recurring military drills, designed to test and enhance the country’s defence readiness and interoperability with NATO allies and partner nations. First held in 2015, the exercise has grown significantly over the years, often involving tens of thousands of troops.

By Khagan Isayev