Estonia moves to simplify military drone procurement and use

Estonia is moving to simplify the procurement and operational use of military drones through proposed amendments to its aviation regulations, Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said, according to Estonian media.

Pevkur has submitted a draft of changes to military aviation rules for interagency approval. The proposed amendments aim to bring existing regulations into line with updated aviation legislation while easing procedures related to the acquisition and deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles.

The minister emphasised that rapid advancements in military technology, particularly in the drone sector, necessitate continuous updates to the regulatory framework. He noted that current rules must be adapted to reflect the practical needs of both the Estonian Defence Forces and the Kaitseliit.

Given the limited availability of military equipment with dedicated certification on the market, the proposal предусматривает wider application of standards developed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, as well as other equivalent civilian norms.

Among the key changes is the introduction of an initial airworthiness certification model for light drones. This approach would remove the need for repeated individual inspections of each unit belonging to the same model, thereby streamlining deployment.

For the first time, the regulations will also formally define rules governing the use of partially assembled, modified, and FPV drones at training grounds.

In addition, requirements for maintenance and airworthiness are set to be aligned more closely with European civil aviation practices. This would allow certified civilian organisations to be engaged in servicing military equipment when necessary, increasing flexibility and efficiency in maintenance operations.

By Tamilla Hasanova