Estonia urged to become a 'smarter buyer' as drone security spending grows
Estonian expert Kristian Sirp warns that drone technology is evolving faster than state procurement can keep up, calling for rigorous testing and better system integration before major purchases.
Drone technology is advancing faster than governments can procure it through standard channels, warns Estonian security expert Kristian Sirp. A solution that looks best when a technical specification is drafted may already be outdated by the time a contract is signed.
The war in Ukraine has turned drones into one of the fastest-changing technologies: countermeasures against sensors emerge quickly, communication methods and software are constantly updated, and a cheaper, more effective solution can replace a costlier one within months. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal noted earlier this year that drones have significantly altered the nature of aerial threats, and that Estonia needs both layered drone defense and an environment where companies can develop new counter-drone solutions.
No single device provides full awareness
Sirp stresses that a single radar or sensor does not by itself create situational awareness — data from multiple sensors must be combined, threats assessed, and decisions made in time. When different agencies procure separate solutions at different times, a "technological archipelago" can emerge: individual devices may work well, but their data formats and decision-making logic often fail to align.
Allied countries are already addressing this. In March, NATO launched its first testing, evaluation and validation campaign for drone and counter-drone technologies at its new Innovation Range in Selonia, Latvia, bringing together companies from allied nations and Ukraine, operators and public-sector representatives. Further tests are planned for 2026, and NATO is applying the same approach elsewhere on its eastern flank. The European Commission also adopted a new drone and counter-drone action plan in February.
Sirp concludes that Estonia must become a "smart buyer" capable of comparing alternatives on equal terms, ensuring component interoperability, measuring outcomes and involving end users through real-world testing before committing to major investments — reducing the risk of costly mistakes after procurement is complete.
