Multinational military exercise Pikne kicked off In Estonia

On Thursday, September 18, a two-week multinational exercise called Pikne („Lightning“) will begin in Estonia, APA reports, citing Defence Forces.

“The aim of the Pikne exercise is to practice the rapid deployment of allies to Estonia and, together with our units, the military defense of the country. We will test the readiness and interoperability of units from Estonia, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Latvia, and Canada,” said Colonel Janno Märk, exercise Pikne director and Chief of Staff of the Estonian Division. “The exercise will involve both offensive and defensive activities, including air and sea landings, where, for example, French paratroopers will carry out a rapid deployment to Estonia from the air and US Marines will conduct a sea landing. The final phase will also include live-fire exercises in Nursipalu and Rutja. Overall, the exercise demonstrates the high level of readiness of our allies to defend Estonia,” added Colonel Märk.

The main activities of the exercise, which will take place from September 18 to October 2, will be carried out by land, sea, and air forces, mainly in western, northeastern, northern, and southeastern Estonia. The first week of the exercise will focus on unit deployment and combat training, while the second week will feature live-fire exercises by Estonian and allied units at the Nursipalu training area and Rutja.

The Pikne exercise is a defensive exercise that combines the activities of allied forces in the air, on land, and at sea. Noise-making simulation devices, such as blank cartridges, will be used during the exercises. A total of approximately 3,000 defense force personnel from Estonia and allied countries will participate in the Pikne exercise.

During the two-week exercise, there will be more defense force convoys and allied unit equipment than usual on the roads in western, northeastern, northern, and southeastern Estonia, which is why the Estonian Defence Forces are emphasizing the need for increased caution in traffic and asking fellow road users for their patience and understanding.

NATO multinational battle groups are stationed in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. Currently, the United Kingdom, France, and Iceland are contributing to Estonia’s defense as part of the allied enhanced forward presence.