Defense
AI
NATO Allies Drill Winter Combat Tactics in Estonian Deep Freeze
Cadets from 19 allied nations are undergoing survival training, including controlled ice-hole immersions, while over a thousand soldiers from the 1st Infantry Brigade, supported by US Abrams tanks, conduct separate large-scale combat maneuvers in Estonia's sub-zero temperatures.
- —Cadets and students from 19 NATO allied nations are participating in a weeklong international winter warfare course at the Estonian Military Academy, focusing on survival, combat, and tactical skills in harsh winter conditions.
- —The training, held in Southeastern Estonia with temperatures consistently below -10 degrees Celsius, includes instruction on cold-weather equipment, nutrition, hydration, and practical exercises such as ambushes, trench assaults, defensive maneuvers, and live-fire drills.
- —Key challenging elements of the course include a controlled ice-hole immersion and surviving overnight under a poncho tent, designed to test mental and physical resilience.
- —The course is conducted entirely in English, providing participants with language practice alongside combat training.
- —Over a thousand soldiers are also participating in a separate, but concurrent, 1st Infantry Brigade exercise called 'Winter Camp' at the Central Training Area, focusing on winter combat specifics and equipment resilience, involving elements like the Scout Battalion, allied battle groups, and US armored units.
Recap
These concurrent exercises are a clear strategic signal of NATO's commitment to collective defense on its eastern flank. By testing both individual survival skills and large-scale armored maneuvers in extreme cold, the alliance demonstrates its capability to operate effectively in any environment. The drills reinforce Estonia's role as a critical hub for developing NATO's winter combat doctrine and enhancing interoperability among member forces.