Estonia has opened its first external drone pilot training center, the Estonian Defense Investment Center announced.
The facility, located in Nurmsi at the Koigi airfield, is operated under the Estonian Armed Forces and will also train specialists from other law enforcement agencies.
Estonia’s Defense Minister said the war in Ukraine has shown how important drones and unmanned systems have become in modern warfare.
“This field is developing rapidly, and we must also strengthen our drone training. I am glad that Estonia now has its own dedicated UAV training center,” he said.
The new center is a three-story building covering 1,300 square meters. It includes classrooms, equipment storage and maintenance rooms, as well as residential, sanitary, and recreational facilities.
The government of Luxembourg fully funded the center, covering the approximately €5 million cost.
Estonia and Luxembourg had signed an initial cooperation agreement on this project in April 2021.
Developing Estonia’s Defense Infrastructure
Estonia is also planning to build a new military base closer to the Russian border to strengthen its regional presence with allied forces.
The government is selecting a site near Narva, a border town, for the new base. It will accommodate several hundred troops, including Estonian soldiers and NATO allies from countries like the United Kingdom and the United States.
“The new military base will show residents that the Estonian state has a strong presence,” Major General Vahur Karus told public broadcaster ERR.
Estonia’s decision to boost its military presence comes after Russia formed new army units near the border. Narva has already been at the center of disputes over the border demarcation with Russia.
