Estonia Considers Light Fighter Jets to Intercept Jet-Powered Drones

Estonian Defense Minister Martin Herem said the country should consider acquiring its own light jet aircraft to counter Russian jet-powered drones.

He made the remarks to The Baltic Sentinel after visiting Ukraine.

Herem linked the need for this capability to the rapid development of jet-powered attack drones, which are harder to intercept with conventional counter-drone systems because of their high speed and altitude.

According to an official statement from Estonia’s Ministry of Defense, Martin Herem met with Volodymyr Zelensky and Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara on October 11.

Topics discussed included strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, defense-industrial cooperation, and leveraging Ukraine’s combat experience to develop Estonia’s defense capabilities.

Estonia currently has no fighter jets of its own and relies on NATO allies for air policing under the Baltic Air Policing mission. However, the Estonian Air Force leases two L-39 jet trainers from private company Aerohooldus OÜ for tactical air controller training.

Estonia has previously discussed developing a domestic light combat aviation capability. A former Estonian Air Force commander told ERR that the L-39s could theoretically be armed, but their civilian status and lease terms prevent this.

The drone threat has also directly affected Estonia. In May, a fighter jet deployed as part of Baltic Air Policing shot down a drone over Estonian territory for the first time.

Meanwhile, Tallinn is strengthening its ground-based air defense capabilities. In June, Estonia received the first components of the medium-range IRIS-T SLM air defense system and is also considering procuring longer-range systems capable of countering ballistic missiles.