The British Army have joined Nato allies in Estonia for Exercise Pikne which is seeing them train under the alliance’s Vigilance Activity Brilliant Eagle.

Over two weeks, British, French, Latvia, American and Estonian troops will deploy on the Sirgala training ground in the northeast of the country to take part in the international military exercise Pikne, which translates to mean lightning.

During their stay in Estonia, British soldiers are taking part in combat drills with their allies in simulated war situations.

The exercise is being led by the Estonian Division, which is acting alongside units from the Estonian Defence Forces and the Estonian Defence League.

The main activities of the exercise, running until 15 December, will involve land and air forces.

The first week will focus on the deployment of units and practising combat activities, while the second week is planned for live fire exercises by allied units at the Sirgala training area. 

Various combat and cooperation exercises involving the Estonian and French navies will take place on the Gulf of Finland.

Approximately 2,000 servicemen from Great Britain and allied countries will participate in Exercise Pikne.

“We are putting the synergy and cooperation to test across different countries, branches of service and units,” said the Chief of Staff of the Estonian Division, Colonel Janno Märk.

Col Märk said: “The French forces are practising their ability to rapidly deploy units to Estonia by air and sea at short notice and to jointly defend Nato territory alongside us and other allied units.

“The Defence Forces have long-term experience of cooperation with the armed forces of France, the United Kingdom and the United States in crisis areas.

“Today we must be ready for a smooth, powerful joint cooperation in the field of defence on our territory.”