Country Profile of Estonia Now Online

Estonia has displayed a strong interest in both the acquisition and development of drones. It’s position on the edge of the European Union has allowed it to receive EU funds for border security, which have subsequently been spent on drones. However, both the development and acquisition of unmanned aerial vehicles are taking place without any mention of possible armed versions. The same cannot be said for the development of unmanned ground vehicles, however.

Estonian firms and ambitions are betting heavily on armed ground drones, with the encouragement of the Estonian Ministry of Defence. This is apparently accompanied by little debate on the issues surrounding the use of armed drones; Estonia has even abstained on a UN Human Rights Council resolution urging states to take put the use of armed drones in line with human rights law and international humanitarian law.