The glow of a full snow moon in February provided a stark backdrop for military exercises at the Tapa training area in Estonia this month, as NATO forces tested their readiness for winter warfare. Soldiers from multiple nations, including the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Estonia, participated in Exercise Winter Camp, demonstrating a united front amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. The exercises focused on adapting to extreme cold – temperatures dipped close to minus 30 degrees Celsius at night – and maintaining operational effectiveness in challenging terrain.
Central to the multinational force is the Royal Tank Regiment (RTR) Battlegroup of the British Army, which recently took over as the lead unit of NATO’s Multinational Battlegroup Estonia, as reported by ERR News. The RTR, comprising nearly 1,000 soldiers, is responsible for leading the forward land forces in the region. Alongside the British contingent, US Abrams main battle tanks, French armoured troop carriers, and Estonian infantry fighting vehicles were also deployed, showcasing the interoperability of NATO’s combined arms capabilities.
Adapting to the Frozen Battlefield
The harsh Estonian winter presented significant logistical and tactical challenges. Lieutenant Colonel Mark Luson, Commanding Officer of the Royal Tank Regiment, emphasized the importance of adapting to the conditions. “The temperatures dropped significantly since we’ve been out here and that’s one of the challenges, to fight through it and thrive in the extreme cold,” he said. The frozen ground, however, also offered advantages. “The tanks have learned to operate through the frozen ground and have been able to get to more places than when we were here previously, when it was swampy and marshy,” Luson explained.
Exercise Winter Camp wasn’t solely about overcoming the elements; it was also a crucial opportunity for allied forces to refine their collaborative skills. “There’s the additional benefit of strengthening the way we perform with all our NATO partners here in country, including the Estonians, the US tank company and our French Infantry Marine counterparts, who have so much experience of operating in the cold of the Alps,” Luson noted. He underscored the value of shared experience, stating, “We’ve all learned from each other, particularly in such tough conditions and that makes us better for the fight.”
The Role of the ‘Poachers’ and Artillery Support
Adding to the complexity of the exercise, the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, nicknamed “The Poachers,” played the role of opposing forces, providing a realistic training scenario for the multinational battlegroup. Soldiers from D Company, The Poachers, tested the battlegroup’s defenses and tactical responses. A recent NATO multimedia report highlighted the challenging conditions faced by troops during the exercise.
Supporting the ground forces were elements of the British Army’s Royal Artillery. The 4th Regiment Royal Artillery provided fire support, while the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery’s Multimode Surveillance System (MSS) Team utilized Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar to track artillery, mortar fires, drones, and aircraft. Captain Hamish MacKellar, Officer Commanding D Company’s Anti-Tank Platoon, emphasized the versatility of the Jackal 2 vehicles. “The Jackal can deal with complex terrain and the weather conditions are arduous, down to minus 28 degrees at night,” he said. “We have the ability to manoeuvre around the battlefield very quickly and dismount from our vehicles. This gives us all of the advantages of an infantry force, being able to easily conceal ourselves in a shoot-and-scoot scenario, or strike and withdraw, while still maintaining the operational and strategic mobility.”
Layering Up for Combat
The extreme cold necessitated a focus on individual soldier preparedness. Captain MacKellar detailed the importance of layering clothing to maintain mobility and combat effectiveness. “We’re in a situation where you have to cover any exposed skin with various layers, including those which can be removed very quickly when we go static in order to fight on our feet,” he explained. “It’s having the mobility to move rapidly and effectively, but then ensuring you layer back up when you’re about to punch out again.”
The ongoing exercises in Estonia are part of a broader NATO effort to bolster its presence in Eastern Europe. Luson emphasized the enduring nature of this commitment. “The NATO Forward Land Forces presence is incredibly important and has endured for 18 rotations in Poland, 17 in Estonia and it means we have a very strong foundation,” he said. “These rotations mean we get better and better at what we do.”
As Exercise Winter Camp concludes, the focus shifts to continued training, and readiness. NATO forces will remain deployed in Estonia, prepared to respond to any potential challenges. The alliance’s commitment to collective defense remains steadfast, and these exercises serve as a clear demonstration of that resolve. The next scheduled rotation of forces is expected to begin in late spring, further solidifying NATO’s presence in the Baltic region.
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