Ukrainian operators: Estonian Defence Force has made a breakthrough in drone warfare

The Estonian Defence Force has significantly improved its drone capabilities over the past year through close cooperation with Ukrainian operators. The Spring Storm 2026 major exercise revealed clear progress compared to a year earlier, when Ukrainians identified serious vulnerabilities in Estonian units.

The Estonian Defence Force has made a remarkable advance in drone warfare over the past year, as confirmed by Ukrainian operators who have participated in joint exercises with Estonian military units. According to The Baltic Sentinel, this became particularly evident at this year's Spring Storm 2026 major exercise, where Estonian soldiers demonstrated a far higher level of readiness than a year ago.

While in 2024 Ukrainian drone-experienced specialists exposed serious vulnerabilities in Estonian units in drone combat, Spring Storm 2026 showed that the work undertaken had borne fruit. Intensive cooperation and joint exercises with Ukrainians have brought concrete changes in both tactical thinking and technical expertise.

Ukraine has acquired unique combat experience in drone warfare, which has become a central element of modern warfare. Passing on this experience to allies, including Estonia, has become strategically important given the security situation in the region bordering Russia.

The Estonian Defence Force's rapid development of drone capabilities is an important signal both to NATO allies and to potential adversaries. Mastery of drone technology and tactics has become an integral part of modern military preparation, and Estonia is demonstrating that it is ready to invest in this.