Yesterday at 20:05
Estonia has installed its first stationary drone detection and monitoring systems along three sections of its southeastern border with Russia, marking a new step in strengthening border security and airspace surveillance.
According to Estonian public broadcaster ERR, the systems have been deployed on sections of the land border and are already operational. Authorities plan to expand the network across the entire Estonian-Russian border later this year.
Interior Minister Igor Taro said the first devices have been installed and are functioning as intended.
“Of course, this is only the beginning. We are moving toward creating a drone monitoring network that will cover all of Estonia, but this step shows that the preparatory work has paid off. Recent drone incidents have demonstrated that our assessment of the risks was realistic,” Taro said.
In areas where permanent monitoring infrastructure has not yet been installed, or where increased surveillance is required, Estonia’s Police and Border Guard Board will deploy newly acquired mobile drone-monitoring systems.
Authorities noted that procurement procedures for additional monitoring equipment are already underway, while construction and preparation work for future sites is progressing on schedule or ahead of plan.
The deployment comes as Estonia and other NATO members continue adapting border security measures to the growing threat posed by unmanned aerial systems.
In May, a drone entered Estonian airspace and was later intercepted by Baltic air defense systems over Lake Võrtsjärv. Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said the UAV was likely of Ukrainian origin and had been heading toward targets inside Russia.
Even before that incident, the Estonian government decided to redirect approximately €500 million previously earmarked for new infantry fighting vehicles toward strengthening air defense, drones, and other unmanned systems.
The counter-drone project forms part of Estonia’s broader effort to improve national security and enhance protection of NATO’s eastern flank amid increasing regional security challenges.
