The Government Office of Estonia has unveiled the Unmanned Vehicles Roadmap for 2026-2030. Developed through close collaboration between the state, private sector, and academia, the strategy outlines coordinated, innovative, and security-focused activities to advance the sector. Its ultimate goal is to position Estonia as the best environment in the world for developing, testing, and safely deploying unmanned systems.
The European drone services market is projected to reach €14.5 billion by 2030. To ensure Estonia is part of this growth, Accelerate Estonia is working with both private and public sector partners to improve the regulatory agility and speed needed for Estonian companies to develop, test, and adopt new technologies faster. The drone sector is critically important for our security, economic growth, and innovation. In addition to national defence, it impacts our agriculture, medicine, logistics, and environmental protection.
Amendments to the Electronic Communications Act
While test areas for standard drone flights are widely available across Europe, Estonian companies and international experts emphasise that Estonia’s true competitive advantage lies in combining flight zones with electronic communication jamming capabilities. This integration would serve as an incentive for international businesses to choose Estonia as a testing ground.
Currently, electronic signal jamming is highly restricted and permitted only for the Estonian Defence Forces and the Police and Border Guard Board. However, drone development companies operating in Estonia need the ability to test their products under conditions where radio communication fails. This requires establishing a legal framework that allows electronic communication jamming for product development and testing purposes.
What Will Change in the Legislation?
The amendment to the Electronic Communications Act, drafted by the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs, expands the scope of legally permissible activities.
Accelerate Estonia has provided input to ensure the legislative update covers the following priorities:
- Product Development and Research: Allowing electronic signal jamming for product development, R&D, and educational learning outcomes, in addition to national defence.
- Expanding Permitted Institutions: Broadening the list of institutions legally authorized to carry out signal jamming.
This amendment establishes a clear legal space and practical testing opportunities for both Estonian drone manufacturers and foreign companies looking for a secure, innovation-friendly environment.
The full Unmanned Vehicles Roadmap is available on the website of the Government Office of Estonia.