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The Estonian Defence Forces launched an operation to enable rapid response to air threats

Republic of Estonia - Defence Forces

14. November 2025, 13:01

Today, November 14, the Estonian Defence Forces launched an operation, led by the Estonian Air Force, to create conditions for rapid response to possible air threats. The threat of a direct military attack against Estonia remains low, and the overall threat assessment has not changed, but the possibility of isolated drone and air incidents remains. The operation is a continuation of previously initiated training in responding to air threats, and is led by the Estonian Air Force.

"The Russian Federation's war against Ukraine inevitably affects the security of our region. Although violations of Estonian airspace by unmanned aerial vehicles are a rare occurrence, we must nevertheless be prepared to respond to such situations immediately," said Commander of the Estonian Air Force Brigadier General Riivo Valge. "The recently launched operation creates conditions for a quicker response to potential airspace violations. It is not possible to completely eliminate the risks, but we can do our part to reduce them."

According to Brigadier General Riivo Valge, the operation and its participants contribute directly to the security of the Estonian people.

In mid-September, due to airspace violations in Estonia and in the region, the Estonian Defence Forces launched an exercise for increasing its readiness to respond to air threats. During the exercise, personnel were trained, procedures were practiced, and broader conditions for launching this operation were created.

As part of the operation, force protection measures at the permanent locations of the Estonian Defence Forces will be adjusted, and conditions will be created for the rapid relocation of air surveillance and air defence units outside of military bases to enable a more effective response to threats directed at Estonia. During the operation, restrictions imposed on flight activity in parts of Estonian airspace will remain. In order to expand air defence capabilities, supplementary training has been provided to the members of Estonian Defence Forces and the Estonian Defence League, and such training will continue in the future. Cooperation and information exchange with the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board has also been enhanced. Active duty and reserve military personnel, conscripts, and members of the Estonian Defence League are participating in the operation.

The operation is led by the Estonian Air Force, and involves various units of the Estonian Defence Forces and the Estonian Defence League. Estonian airspace is also part of NATO airspace, which is protected by, among other things, NATO air policing units serving in Estonia. On the allied side, air defence in Estonia is provided by an Italian Air Force unit using Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, and is supported from the ground by an Italian SAMP-T long-range air defence missile battery.

The overall threat assessment of the Estonian Defence Forces has not changed. There is no immediate military threat to Estonia, and no conventional Russian military action against Estonia is foreseeable in the near future. Nevertheless, the risks posed by airspace violations have increased, but these can be mitigated through preventive measures.

The Estonian Defence Forces are grateful to the parties involved in the operation, including property owners, for their support to national defence. At the same time, the Estonian Defence Forces urge the public to refrain from photographing the Estonian Defence Forces' personnel situated in unusual locations, and from publishing information about their location.

The Estonian Defence Forces also encourage the public to report any suspicious flight activity in Estonian airspace, especially unmanned aerial vehicles, via the mobile application Ole Valmis. The feature that allows users to send information about unknown aircraft has been reactivated.

In case of activation of air raid sirens, or receiving a corresponding notification on the phone, one should take immediate cover, and wait for the follow-on notification about end of alert.