Estonian Defence Forces to test new defence industry tech at Kevadtorm 2026

Estonia's largest annual military exercise, Kevadtorm 2026, will serve as a testing ground for new defence industry solutions. The armed forces will collaborate with defence companies to evaluate technologies in survivability, autonomy, AI, and unmanned systems under realistic training conditions.

The Estonian Defence Forces will partner with defence industry companies during Kevadtorm 2026 — the military's largest annual exercise — to test cutting-edge solutions under realistic field conditions.

The collaboration will focus on four key areas: survivability, autonomy, artificial intelligence, and unmanned systems. By embedding industry testing into live training scenarios, the armed forces aim to accelerate the development and adoption of emerging technologies that could strengthen Estonia's defence capabilities.

Kevadtorm, or "Spring Storm," is held annually and brings together thousands of soldiers alongside allied forces. Using the exercise as a proving ground allows defence companies to gather real-world data and feedback that laboratory or simulated environments cannot replicate.

The move reflects a broader trend across NATO allies of integrating defence industry partners more closely into military readiness activities, shortening the cycle between innovation and operational deployment. For Estonia, a country that has invested heavily in its defence sector and digital capabilities, the exercise represents an opportunity to keep its armed forces at the technological frontier.