Estonia: Exploring Defence Innovation on NATO's Eastern Flank

Throughout the trip all the transportation will be provided.

During the first half of the day, you will have free time to explore the city, work, etc.

If you arrive already on Sunday and have a free morning, there is an option to join the Defence Innovation Day.

Organised by Tehnopol through the NATO DIANA Estonian Accelerator, the event supports defence and dual-use companies in attracting investment, validating solutions and reaching operational users. 

Estonian defence industry and ecosystem overview
Location: Ernst Öpik Building, Valukoja tn 8, 11415 Tallinn

• 13.00–13.05 Introduction to the press trip
  Overview of what will happen over the next few days. The introduction will be made by Marta Hang, International Media Project Manager at Enterprise Estonia.

• 13.05–13.35 The Blueprint: A Digitally-Native Foundation for Security
  Explaining how Estonia built one of the world’s most advanced digital societies based on the principles of interoperability and citizen trust. Discover how this foundational digital infrastructure provides the secure proving ground required for high-tech defence solutions and the role of e-Residency in a global tech ecosystem.

  This session will be led by Rannar Park, Head of Business Engagement at e-Estonia Briefing Centre.

• 13.35–13.50 E-Residency, Defence Cooperation & Investment Support
  Ülane Vilumets, Head of Business Development at e-Residency of Estonia
• 13.50–14.20 The Engine Room: Niche Capabilities & Strategic Synergies
  A deep dive into Estonia’s private-sector defence ecosystem. This overview highlights the "small but fast" niche players and explains why industry agility is a critical factor in Europe’s changing security landscape and NATO’s strategic procurement. This session will be led by Rene Ehasalu, Cluster Manager of the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association.

An overview of Estonia’s rapidly developing counter-drone ecosystem, current activities and the latest technological developments. The visit will feature representatives from Threod, KrattWork, Rantelon, Electric Wings Group  showcasing Estonia’s drone and counter-UAS capabilities, and the role of local defence technology companies in addressing emerging security challenges.

The programme will include a demonstration showcasing drones alongside detection and counter-drone systems in a real-world setting. Alternatively, selected companies will give short 5–10-minute presentations and demonstrations of their solutions.

In the evening, there is an opportunity to attend the EDIA / Estonian Defence Week Networking Reception, an invitation-only event held as part of Estonian Defence Week. The reception will bring together representatives of Estonia’s defence industry, international partners, policymakers and other key figures from the sector, offering an informal setting for networking and further conversations following the day’s programme.

A strategic visit to Tapa Army Base will offer a first-hand look at Estonia’s role on NATO’s eastern flank and the practical realities of allied defence cooperation. The visit will include a briefing by Estonian Defence Forces and allied representatives, including representatives of the UK-led battlegroup stationed in Estonia.

The briefing will be led by Hannes Hugo Urbla, Director of Operations of the Force Transformation Command, and Colonel Janno Märk, Chief of Staff of the Estonian Division. The discussion will cover cooperation with Estonian defence companies, how local industry contributes to operational needs, and where Estonian companies stand out in terms of agility, innovation and specialised capabilities.

This will be followed by an introduction to key military equipment and capabilities deployed at the base, with the visit concluding over an informal lunch.

A briefing on Estonia’s security priorities within NATO, the importance of transatlantic cooperation, and the evolving security environment on the Alliance’s eastern flank. The discussion will also cover Estonia’s perspective on allied deterrence, defence cooperation and NATO’s future priorities. This session will be led by Karin Maandi, Director General of the NATO and Transatlantic Relations Department at the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A visit to CR14, Estonia’s national cyber innovation centre and a NATO partner organisation. This session includes a space cyber-attack simulation and insights from world-class NATO exercises, including Locked Shields, the world’s largest and most complex live-fire cyber defence simulation. The session will be led by Martin Hanson, Head of Marketing at CR14.

A visit to NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. CCDCOE is responsible for identifying and coordinating education and training solutions in cyber defence for all NATO bodies across the Alliance. Presentation by Tõnis Saar, the Director of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE).

We will meet in front of the hotel to walk to dinner. You can also meet us at the restaurant if you wish.

A cosy, Michelin-recommended restaurant in Tallinn’s Old Town, known for its seasonal menu and strong focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Guest: Taavi Veskimägi, Founder member, EDIA chairman of the Council

Part of the ABCD conference.
Night owl session hosted by IFRI:  Deterrence à la Carte: French, American and British Nuclear Roles in a New Security Environment - ABCD

Breakfast breakout session at the ABCD conference. Lessons Learned in Ukraine: Drone Warfare

If you wish to attend the session, we can order a taxi for you to meet us at Milrem.

A joint introduction to two of Estonia’s most prominent defence technology companies, offering different perspectives on how a small country can develop and scale advanced defence capabilities.

Milrem Robotics is an Estonia-founded developer of robotics and autonomous systems, best known for its THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle. Its systems are in service or part of robotics programmes in around 20 countries, and THeMIS vehicles have also been deployed in Ukraine. 

Frankenburg Technologies is a Tallinn-headquartered defence technology company developing affordable, mass-manufacturable guided missile systems for air and counter-drone defence. Its first system, the Mark I short-range interceptor, has been developed with an emphasis on rapid development, lower cost per intercept and the ability to manufacture missiles at scale.

Visit to Estonia’s flagship defence industry events, bringing together defence companies, military representatives, policymakers, investors and international partners. The expo showcases leading Estonian and international companies across areas including weapon systems and ammunition, cybersecurity, drones and unmanned systems, communications, software, space technology and maritime defence.

During the visit, we will have short conversations with four leading Estonian defence technology companies

11.15-11.35 DefSecIntel — outside stand 10, Jaanus Tamm CEO ja founder
11.40-12.00 ASAX — outside stand 6
12.05-12.25 Marduk Technologies — inside stand A24, Leet Rauno Lember COO

You can

• continue visiting the expo on your own
• participate in the ABCD conference: 13:15-14:30 Sustaining the Fight - ABCD
• arrange 1:1 interviews.

A visit to the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board for an overview of Estonia’s security activities, current priorities and cooperation with Estonian defence industry companies. The session will also include a look at selected equipment and technologies used in border surveillance and protection. The visit will be led by Veiko Kommusaar, Deputy Director General for Border Guard.

Accompanied by Sandra Särav-Tammus, Deputy Secretary General for Economic and Industrial Policy

An evening at Põhjala Tap Room, the flagship home of one of Estonia’s best-known craft breweries. Põhjala is internationally recognised for its bold, Nordic-inspired beers and strong export presence.

The approximately 60-minute brewery tour includes a short introduction to Põhjala’s history, a walk through the brewery, and a tasting of 3–4 different Põhjala beers, including one barrel-aged beer. The tour will be followed by dinner at the Tap Room.

Depending on the flight time it is possible to

• attend Estonian Defence Week expo between 11:00 - 18:00
• or arrange 1:1 interviews.

The Defence Business Lab Demo Day.

The Demo Day gives you a closer look at 10 deep-tech defence startups completing this year’s Defence Business Lab, Estonia’s first defence pre-accelerator. Their ideas have been validated and they already have an initial prototype, with the next step focused on further development and testing in real-life environments. The technologies span autonomous systems, counter-UAS solutions, maritime technologies, geospatial intelligence, aviation technologies and data-assisted decision-making.
Defence Business Lab is co-organised by Tehnopol and Sparkup Tartu