Estonia Debuts First Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Learning Facility
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Training Center Opens in Nurmsi
Get ready to soar with Estonia's setup! On a frisky Friday, the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) alongside the Estonian Defence League officially inaugurated the nation's premier UAV training center nestled in Nurmsi. This new airfield playground will bolster the training of the Defence League, Defence Forces, and affiliated units.
“We’re stoked to unveil Estonia's initial UAV training facility erected at the Koigi grass airfield. This center expands our training horizons, fortifies collaboration with allies, and takes a giant leap towards modern warfare,” shared Peeter Karja, Southern Portfolio Manager at the ECDI.
The brutal battle in Ukraine has hammered home the importance of UAV training, equipping our troops with a tactical edge in the heat of combat. Drone warfare is a game-changer, and Estonia can't afford to miss out, as suggested by Hanno Pevkur, the Minister of Defence.
"The ruckus in Ukraine has revealed that quadcopters and unmanned systems are weapons of choice in today’s conflicts. Drones are central to the growth of Estonia's defense, and it's about time we got our own top-notch UAV training center," chimed the Minister.
The Nurmsi drone center, stationed on-site at Koigi airfield, willRoll out the red carpet for the Defence League, Defence Forces, and pals from allied units during field exercises.
Major General Ilmar Tamm, Commander of the Estonian Defence League, sees the center as a technological trailblazer in the UAV world. “The Nurmsi drone center will be a hub for innovation in this sector, and it’s no stretch to say that the Defence League is steering the way as to how drones can support our defense."
"The recently unveiled center allows us to apply lessons from Ukraine and NATO partners to our national security, while offering an enticing staging ground for partners from the Defence Forces and defense industry,” added the Major General.
The 1,300-square-meter building stands tall with classrooms, tool sheds for equipment, and personnel accommodations, complete with recreational quarters. A striking see-it-all glass tower grabs your attention, presenting a 360-degree view of the entire facility.
Constructing a building of this magnitude sans a permanent power source was a daunting feat, but Jaanus Lohu, board member of Paide MEK AS, breathed a sigh of relief. “We picked up some priceless construction experience from this project. It’s evident that the UAV training center is a crucial component of developing our defense capabilities, and we could certainly use more facilities like this,” Lohu noted.
The Luxembourg government funneled funds to develop the UAV training center to the tune of 5 million euros. The ball started rolling with the initial cooperation agreement between the defense ministries of Luxembourg and Estonia being signed in April 2021.
In a nutshell, Estonia's UAV training center in Nurmsi is poised to boost national defense capabilities, particularly in the realm of drone technology, and strengthen global military cooperation. Don't forget to keep your eyes to the skies! 🚀🚀🚀
- Peeter Karja, Southern Portfolio Manager at the ECDI, expressed his excitement about strengthening Estonia's defense capabilities with the opening of a UAV training center in Koigi, which was funded in part by Luxembourg to the tune of 5 million euros.
- Major General Ilmar Tamm, Commander of the Estonian Defence League, praised the new UAV training center in Nurmsi as a technological trailblazer in the UAV world, emphasizing its value for innovation and collaboration within national security and with NATO allies.
- Luxembourg's support for Estonia's UAV training center in Nurmsi showcases the country's commitment to the growth of Estonia's defense, especially in the areas of drone technology and global military cooperation, aligning with the joint efforts of the defense ministries of Luxembourg and Estonia.
