Estonia has launched an innovative drone defense course designed to provide tenth-grade students with essential skills related to unmanned systems. The new educational initiative comprises a 35-hour pilot program developed by the Defence Resources Agency in partnership with the Estonian Aviation Academy. This comprehensive training features 25 hours of classroom learning combined with 10 hours of practical, hands-on experience. Upon completion, students will earn a certification as low-risk category drone operators.
This elective course complements Estonia’s existing mandatory national defense curriculum, which includes teachings on weapon safety, field navigation, and basic medical response. It aims to enhance students’ understanding of modern defense technologies while providing practical applications in a rapidly evolving sector.
Participants will initially engage with simulators to familiarize themselves with drone operations, before moving on to live-flight exercises. This structured approach allows students to engage safely and methodically with drone technology, strengthening their technical competencies.
The program will be introduced to ten upper secondary schools and is anticipated to grow as interest among students increases. “The course gives students both foundational knowledge and practical flight experience,” stated Koit Kaskel, Rector of the Estonian Aviation Academy. He noted that successful completion would prepare students for further studies or real-world applications in fields such as engineering, aviation, or defense technology.
Support for the pilot program comes from the Defence Estonia Cluster, a key organization connecting defense companies in Tallinn, research institutions, and government bodies. This consortium focuses on initiatives that enhance technical skills, promote innovation, and develop unmanned systems, aligning with Estonia’s broader strategy to incorporate technology within its national resilience framework and support global interoperability.
Notable members of the Defence Estonia Cluster include companies such as Milrem Robotics and Threod, reflecting a robust local defense industry. Rene Ehasalu, manager at Defence Estonia Cluster, emphasized the importance of early education in unmanned systems. “Building early fluency in unmanned systems is essential not only for national security but also for the strength of Estonia’s fast-growing defense industry,” he stated. Ehasalu added that to remain competitive globally, it is crucial to cultivate talent that is well-versed in these technologies from the outset. This program aims to ensure that future engineers, operators, and innovators are adequately equipped to contribute to the next generation of defense solutions.
