Estonian Government Presents Drone Development Strategy to Manufacturers

On June 12, a meeting between the Estonian government and unmanned systems manufacturers took place at Stenbock House, during which the government presented a strategy to accelerate the integration of drones into national defense and the economy. The strategy aims to protect the country's airspace, according to a report by "Aktuaalne kaamera".

At the meeting, an Estonian company operating also on the Ukrainian market demonstrated a drone detection and neutralization system. The company produces radars and uses its own interceptor drones as well as those manufactured in Germany and Latvia. Company representative Getter Oper stated that they could intercept a drone violating Estonian airspace without involving fighter jets.

However, current legislation prevents these capabilities from being fully utilized. Entrepreneurs noted legal gaps that prohibit the launch of drone swarms and training with explosive charges. Consequently, some tests must be conducted abroad, for example in Latvia. According to Oper, test ranges in Estonia are heavily congested, while Latvia's defense forces use their facilities less intensively.

At the end of April, the government approved a bill sent to the Riigikogu to grant broader powers to the Defense Forces, police, and critical infrastructure providers to detect and neutralize suspicious drones in peacetime. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal explained that this could allow, for instance, a security guard to use a shotgun to neutralize a drone if such a procedure is agreed upon, or an operator to jam radio signals.