Estonia issues call for UAV containers, warheads

Estonia has launched a competition seeking UAV warheads, unfilled containers of warheads, and other related drone equipment, as part of wider efforts to invest in low-cost, attritable systems. 

The competition notice was published on the EU’s Tenders Electronic Daily platform by Estonia’s National Defence Investment Centre (NDIC) on 30 September. 

The notice is split into three separate lots, with the NDIC looking to award successful vendors with framework agreements worth:  

• Up to EUR7 million for “unfilled warhead” containers 

• Up to EUR18 million for warheads 

• Up to EUR6 million for “other attachable equipment” 

No set quantities for the number of units required under each lot are listed. However, a total of EUR31 million is available, with companies able to submit bids for more than one lot. 

Each framework agreement is each expected to last up to four years, with no opportunities for renewal cited in the competition notice. 

Selected companies will also be required to provide training and lifecycle support for the supplied equipment. 

Companies looking to enter the competition are required to do so by the deadline of 16 October, via Estonia’s Public Procurement Information Portal. 

Estonia’s focus on drones 

In recent years, Estonia has made a concerted push towards the development and procurement of uncrewed systems. It comes as the country seeks to learn lessons from the ongoing Ukrainian conflict and strengthen its almost 300km border with Russia. 

Exemplifying this push is a decision in April 2026 to redirect EUR500 million in funding – previously allocated towards the purchase new combat vehicles – towards drones and air defences. 

The following month, Estonia’s Prime Minister, Kristen Michal, announced plans to commit EUR364 million in drone-related defence investment over the next four years. 

Estonia is also investing in capabilities to defend against drone attacks, with DSEI Gateway reporting on efforts to deliver a multi-layered C-UAS system in September 2026.