The drone sector is rapidly developing in the European Union. Ten years from now the drone industry is estimated to make up 10% of the entire aviation market and by 2050 it will create over 150,000 new jobs. In Estonia there are currently 21 drone manufacturers including Milrem Robotics, Hepta, Clevon, Threod Systems, and Skycorp. It has been predicted that Estonia will become a market leader in the drone sector with the country on track to becoming one of the most prominent development and operating hubs in Europe.
Estonian-made drones have been dubbed by some as 'the new Estonian Nokia'. The Estonian drone sector has every possibility to grow exponentially and greatly increase exports. Estonian-made drones have already made significant contributions to troops in Ukraine on various missions, including demining, route clearance, and re-supply.
In February 2024 the Estonian Defense Force announced that a new drone training centre will be set up close to Nurmsi Airfield in Järva County. It is expected to be operational by the end of the year. The facility will be the only drone training centre of its kind in Estonia. The drone training centre will be available to the Estonian Defence Forces, the Estonian Defense League (Kaitseliit) and NATO allies and will include accommodation and lecture rooms as well as other facilities needed to support drone training.
The drone market will grow to 50 billion euros by 2026 and presents a fantastic opportunity for Estonia as a whole.
