Estonian government pushes back against criticism of drone defense capabilities
Defence Forces reject former commander Martin Herem's claims, stating that drone detection is a layered capability and that operational details remain classified for security reasons.
The Estonian Defence Forces have responded to criticism from former commander Martin Herem, who claimed in an interview that Estonia has not deployed ground-based cameras or acoustic sensors for drone detection. The Defence Forces argue that they do not disclose specific technical elements of counter-UAV measures, as doing so would give adversaries an overly precise picture of their capabilities.
A layered system, not individual sensors
The Defence Forces emphasize that detecting and countering unmanned aerial vehicles is not dependent on a single sensor or weapon system. It is a comprehensive, layered capability involving detection, decision-making, and neutralization. A camera or acoustic sensor is just one possible component of a broader system. Integration, training, maintenance, and legal compliance are crucial.
Manual for shooting down drones
Regarding Herem's point that Estonia lacks a publicly available manual for engaging hostile drones, the Defence Forces confirm that such guidelines exist but remain internal for security reasons. Publishing exact procedures would allow adversaries to adapt their tactics.
Short-range air defense
The Defence Forces note that short-range air defense is important but only part of a broader capability. They continuously improve both short-range air defense and counter-UAV tactics, drawing lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war and allied cooperation.
Regulatory challenges and testing capabilities
Drone development companies in Estonia face significant regulatory obstacles for testing. The government is working to address these. The Riigikogu has passed the first reading of amendments to the Weapons Act and Explosives Act to modernize regulations. Additionally, a testing ecosystem is being developed to coordinate requests and use existing infrastructure more efficiently.
Drone roadmap and Ukraine cooperation
The Estonian government unveiled the National Unmanned Systems Roadmap 2026–2030, including an action plan with concrete activities and deadlines. Prime Minister Kristen Michal and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a drone agreement in Ankara, allowing Estonian-Ukrainian joint ventures to begin production in Estonia. The agreement aims to bring Ukrainian knowledge and technology to bolster Estonia's defense industry. The agreement was not signed during Zelenskyy's earlier visit because more time was needed to finalize details.
