Opinion piece by Meelis Oidsalu, a security expert, criticizing misleading public perception regarding Estonia's drone defense capabilities following the cancellation of infantry fighting vehicle procurement. The article explains that the supposed redirection of half a billion euros into drone capabilities is misleading due to budget timing and lifecycle costs of existing vehicles. Estonia's defense budget between 2025-2030 allocates nearly €300 million to unmanned aerial systems, pre-planned before the procurement cancellation. The article highlights Estonia's insufficient wartime counter-drone capabilities against emerging Russian long-range strike drones, noting that adversary drone threat has dramatically increased, with Russia launching around 1,500 drones in a 24-hour airstrike in Ukraine, up from 355 a year prior. Estonian defense planning risks falling behind Russia's evolving threat without urgent capability updates. NATO allies, including Estonia, lack adequate counter-drone defense, and Estonia has declined Ukraine's offer to share drone warfare expertise. The article calls for revitalized, mathematically grounded defense planning and warns against the use of 'optical effects' or politically comforting but misleading defense communication. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive counter-drone defense for military and civilian infrastructure against Russia.

Opinion piece by Meelis Oidsalu, a security expert, criticizing misleading public perception regarding Estonia's drone defense capabilities following the cancellation of infantry fighting vehicle procurement. The article explains that the supposed redirection of half a billion euros into drone capabilities is misleading due to budget timing and lifecycle costs of existing vehicles. Estonia's defense budget between 2025-2030 allocates nearly €300 million to unmanned aerial systems, pre-planned before the procurement cancellation. The article highlights Estonia's insufficient wartime counter-drone capabilities against emerging Russian long-range strike drones, noting that adversary drone threat has dramatically increased, with Russia launching around 1,500 drones in a 24-hour airstrike in Ukraine, up from 355 a year prior. Estonian defense planning risks falling behind Russia's evolving threat without urgent capability updates. NATO allies, including Estonia, lack adequate counter-drone defense, and Estonia has declined Ukraine's offer to share drone warfare expertise. The article calls for revitalized, mathematically grounded defense planning and warns against the use of 'optical effects' or politically comforting but misleading defense communication. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive counter-drone defense for military and civilian infrastructure against Russia.