Counter-drone defence instead of infantry fighting vehicles: Estonia shelves 500 million euro programme

The government in Tallinn has decided to suspend a procurement programme for new infantry fighting vehicles worth around 500 million euros for the time being, as Estonian daily Postimees reports. Instead, the money is to be channelled specifically into counter-drone defence, air defence and situational reconnaissance.

Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur cited necessary shifts in priorities as the reason: the existing CV90 infantry fighting vehicles are to remain in service at least ten years longer than previously planned. Although this requires considerable investment, it is significantly cheaper than buying entirely new vehicles.

In future, the Estonian Defence Forces will place greater emphasis on firepower, mobility and unmanned systems, but above all on better reconnaissance capabilities. Of central importance are the "eyes and ears" of air defence, meaning sensors and systems that detect threats at an early stage.

Lessons from Ukraine for counter-drone defence

With this realignment, Estonia is also drawing direct lessons from the war in Ukraine. According to Pevkur, long-range effects and the extensive use of reconnaissance and drone systems are increasingly coming to the fore in modern warfare. Classic armoured formations remain relevant, but are losing their dominant role.

How exactly the freed-up funds will be used is still being planned. The basis is an updated military recommendation from the Chief of Defence; on this basis, the government intends to adopt the new investment plan.

Recent incidents in Estonian airspace are putting additional pressure on the government: drones that had actually attacked targets in Russia repeatedly entered Estonia. According to Postimees, these events show how urgently drone detection and defeat capabilities need to be expanded.