The European Commission has decided to support Estonia with nearly 32 million euros. This funding will help the Police and Border Guard Board secure Estonia's eastern border, which is also the external border of the European Union.
The new drone surveillance system will provide Estonia with the ability to better monitor and protect its border. The system will help prevent illegal border crossings, smuggling, and other threats.
Interior Minister Igor Taro stated that in cooperation with the Defense Forces, radars, cameras, and equipment for drone detection will be purchased and installed. This will help identify and assess threats more quickly.
Veiko Kommusaar, a representative of the Police and Border Guard Board, said that within three years, the border guard's surveillance capabilities will improve. This means that threats will be detected faster on land, rivers, and in the airspace.
Kommusaar added that the greatest value of the drone surveillance system is the ability to see the entire situation at the border as a whole. This allows for faster and more precise responses.
The drone surveillance system must be ready by the end of 2029. The funding comes from the European Union's border management fund. Estonia will add an additional 10 percent of the funds.