Sapeli 23 to be held in the capital region and in Eastern Uusimaa on 26.5.–2.6.2023

From 26 May to 2 June 2023, the field training exercise Sapeli 23 led by the Guard Jaeger Regiment will be held in the capital region and in the area of Eastern Uusimaa. The FTX drill areas will include Helsinki, Vantaa, Porvoo, Järvenpää, Sipoo, Tuusula, Loviisa ja Pornainen. The exercise will be commanded by Commander of the Jaeger Regiment, Colonel Asko Kopra.

The FTX Sapeli 23 will be the closing exercise for the conscript leaders of the July 22 contingent, readiness unit, as well as January 23 contingent conscripts trained for rank and file tasks.

The total strength of the exercise will be up to circa 800 personnel comprising reservists, conscripts, and service personnel. Along the Guard Jaeger Regiment, the exercise will also be participated by troops from the Armoured Brigade and Border Guard.

Sapeli 23 will also involve an air defence exercise with ensuing occasional noise in the shore of Helsinki and eastern Uusimaa between Tuesday 30.5. and Wednesday 31.5.

The exercise troops will be wearing a fighting load including an assault rifle, whereas the target detachments may also wear civilian clothing.  The service personnel will have yellow high-visibility vests on their combat uniform. Altogether, the exercise will involve more than 200 vehicles including armoured vehicles. 

Dummy drill ammunition will be used in part of the exercise areas that may in turn cause noise in the immediate vicinity. More specific information on exercise drill locations and dates will be available in a noise release to be published in week 21.

The main objective of the exercise is to develop the readiness and capability of the Guard Jaeger Regiment’s units on demanding combat missions in built-up areas as well as on southern coastal land areas. 

Held biannually as the closing exercise drill for the regiment’s force production units, Sapeli equals a demanding exercise entity for both service personnel and conscripts mustering out in late June. Exercising in an extensive area allows having the units conduct training in situations that enable the troops to apply their competence and skills for operating also beyond built-up areas.

For the media
Media representatives are welcome to attend the exercise’s media day event to be arranged in Kilpilahti, Porvoo on Wednesday 31 May 2023 with opportunity for familiarising with the exercise. Please register for the media day event in advance by the exercise’s PIO (contact information below) by 29.5.

Additional information on the exercise: PIO Lotta Laaksonen +358 299 421 233, [email protected]

Follow the exercise on social media with #Sapeli23.