In pictures: Fighting fictional forces

Every year Exercise Spring Storm is held in Estonia, testing the readiness of NATO forces in responding to a fictional crisis

To test the readiness of the allied forces deployed along NATO’s Eastern Flank, Estonia holds an annual training drill which sees Estonian conscripts mobilising as a simulated threat.

The UK-led Battle Group play the opposing force, sending its armour and troops to a training ground in central Estonia.

The exercise itself is divided into two main stages:

• A field exercise in which units of the Estonian Defence Force and the NATO battlegroup enhanced their readiness.
• A live-fire exercise on one of Estonia’s vast firing ranges, where the combination of infantry and battle support units are trained.

The British troops deployed to Estonia are leading one of four multinational Battlegroups as part of the Enhanced Forward Presence (EFP).

Operation CABRIT is the name of the UK operational deployment to Estonia where British troops are leading a multinational battlegroup as part of the EFP.

• In Pictures: Operation Cabrit
• My 7 months in Estonia on a NATO mission

Take a look at our favourite images from this year's exercise 📸

A soldier from the First Fusiliers takes a knee while on patrol.

A member of the First Fusiliers during Exercise Spring Storm.

British soldiers take a break on top of their armoured vehicle

Allied tanks are launched into the exercise.

Challenger 2 tanks making their way towards the training area before the live firing phase.

Challenger 2 Tank on Estonia’s Central Training Area with the Estonian Defence Force.

British soldiers during Ex Spring Storm.

A soldier from the First Fusiliers in a firefight during Exercise Spring Storm.

British soldiers practice attacks in the Estonian forests.

British soldiers practice attacks on a simulated enemy.

British, Estonian and Danish soldiers stand together as B1 bombers practised cooperation with air traffic controllers.

British, Estonian and Danish soldiers stand together as B1 bombers practised cooperation with air traffic controllers.

British and Estonian soldiers during ENDEX (the end of the exercise).

Find out where the UK Armed Forces are deployed here: