Estonia Completes First Phase of Anti-Drone Defenses on Border with Russia

Estonia's Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) has announced the completion of the first phase of equipping the border with devices for detecting and neutralizing unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) along the southeastern border with Russia.

According to PPA development expert Hanna Heiere, the system employs a multi-layered approach that includes radio sensors, acoustic sensors, cameras, and radars. This combination of different technologies allows for more effective drone detection.

Currently, border guards have mobile capabilities to shoot down drones in the air, but in the future, stationary systems such as interceptor drones and net-throwing devices will be installed at critical infrastructure sites, like border infrastructure. Electronic countermeasures are already deployed across all forces. More powerful kinetic countermeasures using munitions will remain under the responsibility of the Defense Forces.

Heiere declined to disclose the extent of drone detection capabilities, citing security reasons, while acknowledging that not all of the southeastern border is covered. She emphasized that the development of these capabilities is in its early stages and is being built gradually. Later, anti-drone systems will also be introduced in the interior of the country and in major cities.

A recently passed law requires the PPA and the Defense Forces to share information and observations about drones. Additionally, several companies and organizations, such as the electricity and gas transmission system operator "Elering," are also building anti-drone systems.

By the end of September, the PPA plans to complete five additional observation posts on the Narva River, which forms the border with Russia. These posts will include surface monitoring equipment and sensors for drone detection and neutralization.

The total funding for the project is approximately 20 million euros, with 16.4 million coming from the European Union (EU) and the remainder from the Estonian state budget. Furthermore, Estonia has the opportunity to purchase additional drone surveillance, detection, and countermeasure equipment worth about 35 million euros using EU funds. Heiere noted that additional proposals for much larger amounts have been submitted, but no decisions have been made yet.