Drones are already a key element of modern warfare, as seen in Ukraine, and Estonia's new initiative gives citizens the opportunity to develop technical skills and contribute to the broadly understood defense of the country, said Minister Hanno Pevkur.
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As part of the agreement, the Estonian Defense League (Kaitseliit), numbering approximately 18,000 members, and the non-governmental organization HK Unicorn Squad, dealing with technological education, are launching basic courses in drone operation. The aim is to increase the level of knowledge and awareness of safe handling of unmanned aircraft.
Basic training for people who have never flown a drone or have little experience with drones costs 100 euros. The classes are conducted by experienced instructors who work in the Estonian Defense League, the police or other Estonian law enforcement agencies.
In Estonia, at the beginning of the new school year in September, under the patronage of the Ministry of Defense, an optional subject in the field of drone technology and operation of unmanned aerial vehicles was also introduced in secondary schools. “Drone operation training in schools is part of a broader vision in which technology, education and security support each other and strengthen the entire society,” said the Minister of Defense at the time.
