Estonia's Drone Defense System on Eastern Border Still in Early Development

The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) has begun deploying drone detection systems along the country's eastern border. The first devices have been installed on a stretch of the southeast border. The system is complex and uses multiple technologies to detect unmanned aircraft. For security reasons, the exact locations of the equipment are not disclosed.

According to Hanna Heier, PPA's head of development, some areas use radars that can scan the air within a certain range, though they have altitude limitations. Radio signal detectors are also employed to identify manually piloted drones, but not autonomous ones like Ukrainian drones that sometimes stray.

Every detected drone is reported to the Estonian Defence Forces. Depending on the situation, either the PPA or the military responds. The PPA can jam radio signals and is gradually acquiring softer tools, such as net guns that shoot a net to capture a drone, or interceptor drones that follow the target and trap it in a net.

Interior Minister Igor Taro (Eesti 200) confirmed that if the drone is a military attack drone, the Defence Forces handle the response. Building the system is complex, and the best solution will emerge from test sections being developed along the Narva River. Taro said it is not possible to simply purchase a fully functioning system; testing is needed to find what actually works.

The project is still in its early stages. The first phase, which includes equipping both the external border and the four largest cities with drone detection capability, is expected to be completed by the end of next year.