Prime Minister at the Quill 2022 exercise: we must prepare to protect ourselves during peacetime

"Estonia's national defence is based on our well-trained reservists, and I was happy to meet these men and women who responded to the unexpected call and showed up and know exactly what to do during a crisis," said Kallas. "Thank you to all participants - your preparedness gives us confidence. A big thank you also to the relatives and employers of all the participants - your understanding and support is necessary for the success of such trainings," she added.

Kallas was briefed on the exercise by Brigadier General Enno Mõts, Chief of Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces, Brigadier General Riho Ühtegi, Commander of the Defence League, and Lieutenant Colonel Jaanus Ainsalu, Commander of the Northeastern Territorial Defence District of the Defence League. The Prime Minister was introduced to the objectives of the exercise and demonstrated practical tactical activities such as establishing defence positions and recognising targets. In addition, an overview of the functioning of comprehensive national defence was given in the exercise, where private sector support plays a very important role. For example, training takes place partly on private lands and several local companies provided the necessary resources for the construction of defence facilities.

"There is currently no immediate military threat to Estonia. However, we must prepare to defend Estonia and practice it. We can all calmly continue with our daily activities knowing that Estonia is protected by our defence forces and allies in NATO and the European Union," Kallas explained.

The reservist training began on 22 September by a decision of the Government of the Republic to invite 2,861 reservists and members of the Defence League in wartime units for reservist training. The exercise ends on 28 September. A record number of reservists of the Defence Forces and the Defence League were convened, and volunteers of the Defence League also participate in the exercise.
Although the timing of the exercise is unexpected for the participants, it is a regular, pre-planned exercise in which units are checked for combat readiness in an accelerated manner. During the exercise, the entire chain of command of national defence, from the Government of the Republic to the reservists, exercises readiness, decision-making, and taking action in a rapidly changing situation.

The current action programme of the Government of the Republic for the years 2022-2023 provides for the organisation of two additional reservist trainings in order to ensure the combat readiness of the wartime units of the Defence Forces and to check and maintain defence readiness.

The gallery: Prime Minister visiting the exercise