Estonia has introduced a course on drone piloting and technology to help prepare students for careers developing and flying drones during a war.
The 35-hour drone-technology course is for 15- to 16-year-olds and includes 25 hours of theory and 10 hours of hands-on training. Students receive a drone-operator competency certification at the end of the course.
Estonian students already learn subjects such as weapon handling and safety, orienteering and first aid under the mandatory national defense part of its curriculum.
For the optional drone course students begin with simulators and progress to live-flight exercises. The program is designed as an introduction to unmanned systems, supported by structured classroom practices.
“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 of the Defence Estonia Cluster in a press release. “Our companies are developing world-class drone capabilities. 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.”
Estonia’s Ministry of Defence supplies the technical equipment and funding for the drone course, which has been developed by the country’s Aviation Academy and Defence Resources Agency, the latter of which leads the organization of flight practice.
The course is currently offered in ten upper secondary schools with plans for broader availability as interest grows.
“The course gives students both foundational knowledge and practical flight experience,” said Koit Kaskel, rector of the Estonian Aviation Academy. “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.”
