Estonia just secured three defence partnerships at WDS2026 in Riyadh — between its most innovative companies and Saudi Arabia, Oman, South Korea.
Estonia’s defence sector is making rounds even beyond Europe, and this week has demonstrated its digital capabilities at the World Defence Show in Riyadh. According to the official press release, the delegation members have secured three memoranda of understanding with regional and international partners.
The agreements, signed during the 13 February 2026 event, included partnerships between Threod Systems and Saudi Arabia’s First Shield, DefSecIntel Solutions and Oman’s The Armored Group, and Frankenburg Technologies and South Korea’s Hanwha. The deals cover autonomous systems, surveillance, counter-unmanned aircraft systems (counter-UAS), and digitally integrated defence technologies.
Estonia’s Minister of Defence, Hanno Pevkur, led a delegation that held discussions with Saudi defence authorities and industry leaders from across the Gulf, Asia and Europe. The country has participated under a tagline “Armed for innovation”.
Estonia’s Minister of Defence, Hanno Pevkur. Photo: Trade Estonia
Ambassador Maria Belovas, representing Estonia in Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf, noted that defence capability is increasingly shaped by digital development rather than traditional hardware alone. “Software, data and autonomous functions are evolving faster than traditional platforms, reshaping how systems are sustained, modernised and integrated over time,” she said.
Armed for innovation, with smart defence
Estonia’s defence spending now stands at 5% of GDP, reflecting the country’s commitment to national security following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. And the money are spent wisely, as Estonia has positioned itself as a leader in digital defence solutions, leveraging its reputation for digital governance and cybersecurity.
The agreements signed prove that course.
- DefSecIntel Solutions specialises in AI-powered mobile surveillance systems and counter-UAS solutions for defence and border security.
- Frankenburg Technologies produces affordable, mass-manufacturable missile systems designed for national defence and critical infrastructure protection.
- Threod Systems provides battle-tested military technology solutions focused on intelligence gathering.
Beyond the immediate partnerships, the show underscored an evolution in how defence capability is assessed. Whilst platforms remain important, increasing attention is being placed on the digital architecture that determines long-term performance. Software integration, data processing and system interoperability are advancing on shorter cycles than traditional hardware, making upgradability and operational efficiency critical factors.
DefSecIntel Solutions, an Estonian defence company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TAG – the Oman-based branch of The Armored Group, a global manufacturer of armored and military vehicle platforms. Photo: Trade Estonia
Estonia has introduced structural reforms to accelerate capability adoption, including establishing a Force Transformation Command to bridge defence forces, academia, and industry, and shortening the pathway from identifying capabilities to deploying them operationally.
The Estonian delegation at the show included nine companies spanning autonomous systems, surveillance, manufacturing and defence infrastructure. Participating companies included Defendec, which produces autonomous intrusion detection systems with 400-day battery life; Skeleton Technologies, which manufactures supercapacitors for high-power applications; and Nortal, a technology consultancy specialising in digital transformation.
Trade Estonia, the state organisation supporting Estonian companies in international markets, facilitated the country’s participation.
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