Estonia Installs First Drone Detection Systems on Russian Border

Estonian border guards have installed the first stationary systems for detecting and monitoring drones on the border with Russia.

ERR reported this news.

The first systems were deployed on three sections of the land border in southeastern Estonia, between the junction of the Estonian, Latvian and Russian borders and the Luhamaa border crossing point.

In addition, mobile radar systems mounted on trailers have been deployed.

This is only the first stage of creating a drone detection network. The cost of the mobile radar systems was nearly €1.3 million, while about €300,000 was spent on the initial deployment stage of drone detection systems.

The entire infrastructure on the eastern border, including surveillance systems, is planned to be completed next year.

The Police and Border Guard Board is currently purchasing equipment for new sections of the border. Construction and preparatory work is being carried out according to schedule, and in some areas is ahead of schedule.

In particular, on the section between Koidula and Saatse, the contractor has promised to complete the work by the end of this year, although the contract sets a much later deadline.

The construction of infrastructure on Estonia’s eastern border is gradually being completed, and airspace monitoring capabilities are being expanded with support from the European Union.

Given the experience of Ukraine, Estonia also plans to equip large cities and critical infrastructure facilities with drone detection systems in the near future.

Authorities emphasize that strike drones are not necessarily launched from abroad, so not only the border zone but also the country’s interior needs protection.

Recall that on May 10, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga confirmed Ukraine’s readiness to help the Baltic states and Finland prevent violations of airspace by drones, including by sending specialists.

Read more about countering drones in the Baltics in the article: Drones over the Baltics: analysis of the situation, countermeasures and future risks.