The Estonian Air Force is putting advanced counter-drone systems through their paces during the week-long Digital Shield exercise, aiming to stay ahead of emerging aerial threats.
In cooperation with the US Army, the drills tested both older and newly acquired systems, all of which have seen operational use in Ukraine.
The goal: digitally integrate drone detection and countermeasures so operators can track and neutralize threats from a single command hub.
Officials said a single operator can detect a drone, identify it, and, with the press of a button, launch an effector to neutralize it.
The interceptor missile can remain safely in a ground container while the operator controls it from a distant location — potentially even outside Estonia — yet still achieve immediate effect on the target.
Full operational use of all systems is expected to take several weeks to months.
Defending the Flank
The exercise gives Estonia the chance to extend its drone defense experience across NATO’s eastern flank, from Finland to Bulgaria, with guidance and support from the US Army.
Capt. Mica Maule, of the US Army’s 10th Air and Missile Defense Command, said the drills serve two main purposes:
“First and foremost is NATO’s Eastern Sentry, which has the ability to shoot down any drone incursions into NATO territory.”
“And secondly, is to build the US Army Europe and land comms, eastern flank’s deterrence initiative, which is really designed to counter mass momentum, specifically in the air domain.”
