Estonia Launches Tactical Drone Course for High School Students

Estonia has introduced a new drone defense course aimed at equipping tenth-grade students with foundational skills in unmanned systems.

The 35-hour pilot program, created by the Defence Resources Agency in collaboration with the Estonian Aviation Academy, includes 25 hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of hands-on training, culminating in a low-risk category drone operator certification.

Under the course, students will begin familiarization through simulators before progressing to live-flight exercises, allowing them to engage with drone technology safely and methodically.

The program will be offered in 10 upper secondary schools and is expected to expand as more students enroll.

“The course gives students both foundational knowledge and practical flight experience,” Estonian Aviation Academy Rector Koit Kaskel explained.

“Those who complete it successfully will be well prepared to continue more advanced studies or pursue real-world applications in engineering, aviation, or defense technology.”

The elective complements the NATO country’s mandatory national defense curriculum, which already includes lessons in weapon safety, field navigation, and basic medical response.

Support From Local Industry

The pilot program is backed by the Defence Estonia Cluster, also known as the Defence and Aerospace Industry Association, which serves as a central hub connecting Tallinn’s defense companies, research institutions, and government agencies.

It supports initiatives that build technical skills, foster innovation, and advance unmanned systems, reflecting Estonia’s broader strategy to integrate technology, national resilience, and global interoperability.

Local members of the Defence Estonia Cluster include companies such as Milrem Robotics and Threod.

“Building early fluency in unmanned systems is essential not only for national security, but also for the strength of Estonia’s fast-growing defense industry,” said Rene Ehasalu, manager at Defence Estonia Cluster.

“To stay competitive on the global stage, we need talent that understands these technologies from day one. This program helps ensure that future engineers, operators and innovators are already prepared to support the next generation of defense solutions.”