Estonia has officially opened the country’s first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) training centre, a significant step towards strengthening its defence capabilities. Established in the Nurmsi area of the strategically located Koigi meadow airfield, the modern centre aims to meet the training needs of the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF), the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) and allied military units in the field of UAVs.
Strategic Importance of the Center Emphasized
Peeter Karja, from the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments, highlighted the strategic importance of the newly established centre, saying: “The opening of Estonia’s first drone training centre significantly expands the training capacity of the troops and further strengthens cooperation with the allies. The experience of the war in Ukraine, in particular, clearly demonstrated the critical role that drone training plays in developing modern defence capabilities.” Karja’s words underline the importance of the centre not only for Estonia, but also for the defence strategies of its NATO allies.
Defense Minister Emphasizes UAVs
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur also spoke at the ceremony, drawing attention to the increasingly vital role of drones and unmanned systems in the dynamics of modern warfare. “In order to strengthen Estonia’s defense capabilities against future threats, it is now imperative that we maximize our drone training. I am very pleased that Estonia finally has its own modern UAV training center,” Pevkur said. The minister’s emphasis shows that Estonia is placing UAV technologies at the center of its defense strategy.
Ukraine and NATO Experiences to be Integrated
This state-of-the-art training centre, built on the site of the former Koigi airfield, will serve not only as a training ground but also as a technical development centre in the field of UAV technologies. The centre will offer integrated training programmes, drawing on real-world experience from the war zone in Ukraine and the latest tactical and technical knowledge from NATO partners. This approach will ensure that Estonia’s UAV personnel are trained in the most up-to-date and effective methods.
The Leading Role of the Defense Union
“The Nurmsi drone center will become a focal point for technical advances in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles. It is safe to say that the Defense Union plays a leading role in Estonia’s defense in the use of UAVs,” said Major General Ilmar Tamm, Commander of the Estonian Defense Union, noting the center’s broader role in the country’s defense. Tamm also noted that the center will make a significant contribution to integrating valuable knowledge from Ukraine and NATO allies into the Estonian defense doctrine and local defense industry partners. This shows that Estonia will not only train UAV operators, but also closely follow technological developments in this area and encourage the defense industry in this direction.
Physical Structure and Facilities of the Center
The new UAV training center was designed to meet modern educational needs. The center, which covers three floors and a total area of 1.300 square meters, includes classrooms equipped with the latest technology, special areas for the safe storage and maintenance of various UAV equipment, facilities to meet the accommodation needs of students and instructors, hygiene areas and recreational facilities. One of the most striking architectural elements of the center is the modern glass observation tower that offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. This tower will provide an ideal spot for educational observations and will strengthen the modern and technological image of the center.
Challenging Construction Process and International Support
Jaanus Lohu from AS Paide MEK, which undertook the construction of the project, drew attention to some technical difficulties encountered during the construction of the center. Stating that building such a modern facility, especially in an area without permanent electricity connection, required significant engineering solutions, Lohu said, “We gained significant experience from this project. This modern facility is a great asset for Estonia’s development in the field of defense.”
About For 5 million euros This strategic project, which costs entirely Luxembourg government This significant support is a tangible result of a cooperation agreement signed between the Luxembourg and Estonian defence ministries in April 2021. This international cooperation makes a significant contribution to Estonia’s efforts to strengthen its defence infrastructure and reinforces the strong alliance relations between the two countries.
The commissioning of Estonia’s first UAV training centre is seen as a critical step towards aligning the country’s defence capabilities with the demands of modern warfare. Equipped with up-to-date facilities, international cooperation and lessons learned from the experiences of Ukraine and NATO, the centre will raise Estonia’s UAV training standards and make a significant contribution to the country’s defence force.
