On 24 November, the international naval exercise Freezing Winds 25, led by the Finnish Navy, began in the Baltic Sea, which will also take place partly in Estonian waters.
“The Finns are our closest and most capable maritime allies. We have a shared area of operations, a common environment, and a common threat. That is why it is important to get used to defending ourselves together, also within the framework of this exercise, both from the sea and from the coast, integrating the various naval warfare components of both countries,” said Commodore Ivo Värk, Commander of the Estonian Navy.
During the exercise, the Estonian Navy will practice mine clearance, mine laying, creating a common maritime image and ensuring logistical support between the two countries in cooperation with its allies. In addition, the participants of the exercise will practice the protection of critical underwater infrastructure and sea areas, anti-landing and joint operations between navies and shore units. The exercise areas mainly cover the Finnish archipelago and the marine and coastal areas of Finland and Estonia.
“Freezing Winds 25 demonstrates the commitment of allied countries and Finland to ensuring the security of the Baltic Sea in all situations. We can conduct joint operations quickly and efficiently with our allies, and such exercises help to maintain and develop these capabilities,” said Navy Captain Marko Laaksonen, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations of the Finnish Navy
20 warships, fighter jets, surveillance aircraft, helicopters, and shore units will participate in the exercise. A total of nearly 5,000 servicemen from Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and the United States will participate in the exercise. In addition, NATO’s 1st Standing Mine Countermeasures Group will also participate in the exercise. The exercise will take place from 24 November to 4 December.
The last major cooperation exercise between the Estonian and Finnish Navies was Sunny Beach, which took place at the end of July this year in Saaremaa, where the defense of Estonian islands was practiced.