Estonia has inaugurated its first military unmanned aerial vehicle training center in the northern central village of Nurmsi.
The facility will support drone preparations and related activities of the Defence Forces, the Defence League, and allied units stationed in the country for operations and exercises.
The three-story infrastructure encompasses 1,300 square meters (13,993 square feet) of space at the site, with its design featuring a glass tower with a 360-degree view.
Inside the complex are classrooms, storage, sustainment bays, personnel accommodation, sanitation divisions, and leisure areas.
The training hub’s construction was first signed in 2021. It was fully funded by Luxembourg and cost about 5 million euros ($5.6 million).
The contract to build the facility was awarded to Järva County-based Paide MEK AS.
Practical for ‘Key’ Modern Warfare Assets
Tallinn noted that the Nurmsi center is critical to developing the armed forces’ UAV capabilities for future battlefields.
It will also expand the Baltic state’s training opportunities for troops and strengthen its airborne defense cooperation with partner nations.
“The war in Ukraine has demonstrated that drones and unmanned systems are key in modern warfare,” Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur stated.
“Drones are important for the development of Estonia’s defense capabilities. This field is evolving rapidly, and we must advance our drone training as well. I am glad Estonia now has its own dedicated UAV training center.”
