The Reserve Forces Fund handed over an ISR drone to Estonian Defence League

Estonian citizens and companies have contributed over €258,000 to national defence through donations collected by the Reserve Forces Fund. These funds have been used to purchase reconnaissance and attack drones, as well as additional equipment necessary for operating the drones, to train reserve forces. The third donation from the fund was handed over to the Defence League at the Nurmsi drone training centre.

'Our greatest value is freedom, but the full-scale aggression of Russia in Ukraine has shown that this can never be taken for granted. That is why we are building a strong and well-trained Reserve Force in Estonia and developing drone and electronic warfare capabilities to be ready for any situation. However, the strongest deterrent is not only equipment, but also the determination of our people. The Reserve Forces Fund has become a symbol of this unity and dedication, allowing everyone to contribute to the defence capabilities of Estonia,' said Kaimo Kuusk, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence.

The National Defence Promotion Foundation and the Ministry of Defence handed over an ISR drone, purchased from the fund's resources in cooperation with Threod Systems AS, to the Defence League, and flights simulating reconnaissance and combat missions were demonstrated at the drone centre.

'Cooperation is one of the greatest strengths of Estonia's national defence. Thank you, entrepreneurs, for supporting the Reserve Forces Fund. Thanks to your contribution, our reservists have received dozens of drones and the necessary training. I hope that drone training will become even more widespread in the Defence Forces and the Defence League than it is today, and that more and more drone solutions developed by our own defence industry will find their way into the Defence Forces,' said Alar Karis, President of the Republic of Estonia, who symbolically launched the first flight of the new ISR drone at the event.

According to Major General Ilmar Tamm, Commander of the Estonian Defence League, every drone is important in the training of the Defence League. 'I would like to thank all entrepreneurs and the Reserve Forces Fund for supporting the Defence League. We understand that such a valuable and capable aircraft requires the best possible training from us. As with all activities of the Defence League, professional training is essential in developing drone capabilities so that we are ready to act when our skills are truly needed. The donated drone will play a worthy role in our training and help to increase the readiness of the Defence League units,' said Major General Tamm.

Both private persons and companies that have brought Estonian digital camouflage products and services to the market contribute to the Reserve Forces Fund by donating a portion of each unit sold to the fund. Apotheka, Coop Pank, A. Le Coq, Coop, Balbiino, Bolt, Alexela, Goldtime, Nordic Milk, Linnamäe Lihatööstus, Balsnack, Pakendikeskus, Norrison, and Peetri Pizza have joined the initiative. This clearly shows that society recognises that freedom is our greatest value and must be preserved at all costs.

The main purpose of the Reserve Forces Fund is to increase the drone capabilities of the Estonian Reserve Force. In addition, the resources of the fund are used to support the training of reserve officers through scholarships, the development of cohesion, and the recognition of the best reserve soldiers and reserve units.

Reserve Forces Fund - a joint contribution to ensure that the reserves have sufficient strength.

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About the Reserve Forces Fund: https://riigikaitse.ee/kaitsetahe

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