During the 'Hedgehog 2025' military exercises held last May with 16,000 troops from 12 NATO member states, Ukrainian drone experts and soldiers simulated the destruction of two battalions. This high-intensity battle simulation highlighted that the lessons learned from Ukrainian combat experience have not yet been fully integrated into the training of Western armies. According to Arbo Probal, the head of the Estonian Defense Forces' unmanned systems program, the exercises aimed to create maximum stress on the units to test their adaptability.

One of the scenarios involved a combat group of thousands of soldiers, including British and Estonian troops, who reportedly ignored the new reality of open battlefield surveillance by enemy drones. Participants noted that NATO combat group soldiers were moving without camouflage, setting up tents, and deploying armored vehicles in plain sight. This reckless behavior led to total destruction, demonstrating failures in situational awareness and tactical discipline under modern warfare conditions.

The findings of the simulation underscored a critical need for NATO forces to reassess their operational tactics and incorporate lessons drawn from ongoing conflicts, particularly the effectiveness of drone warfare as experienced by Ukraine. The repercussions of this exercise could influence NATO’s strategic planning and training protocols as they prepare for potential future conflicts.