Estonia is considering acquiring light jet or light combat aircraft to intercept increasingly capable jet-powered attack drones, Defence Minister Martin Herem said. The proposal would give the country a national airborne interception capability, complementing NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission. No aircraft type, quantity, budget, procurement decision or delivery timetable has been disclosed.
Herem identified air-to-air weapons launched from aircraft as a potentially effective response to fast, high-flying drones. He indicated that turboprop aircraft might not provide sufficient performance, making light jets a possible option. Other systems under consideration include remotely controlled cannons, heavy machine guns and interceptor drones.
Estonia has no fighter aircraft and relies largely on allied aircraft for air policing. It leases two L-39 Albatros jet trainers from Aerohooldus OÜ for tactical air-controller training, but their civilian status and lease conditions currently prevent combat conversion. The country is also strengthening ground-based air defence through the acquisition of IRIS-T SLM components.
The proposal followed Herem’s visit to Ukraine, where he examined counter-drone operations, electronic warfare and air-defence challenges. The issue gained added urgency after a NATO fighter shot down a drone over Estonian airspace in May. Herem’s comments represent a ministerial proposal rather than an approved acquisition or formal procurement programme.