Estonia plans air threat warning app modelled on Ukraine’s

Estonia is planning a new air threat warning app to give the public more detailed visual information about the movement of threats. Defence Minister Martin Herem said on Thursday on Estonian public broadcaster ERR’s morning television programme that the app should be developed within six months. Developing an app of its own is the initial option under consideration.

This is a developing story and further information may be added.

The plan envisages warnings showing the direction of the threat

Herem explains that people would be able to see which town or village a threat is heading towards. According to the minister, this would help them make decisions and reduce their anxiety. These are stated aims for the future app, not results from its use.

According to ERR, the model is Ukraine, where the authorities share some information about the air situation with the public and apps bring it together for users. Warnings are already issued by area, with work under way to cover even smaller areas.

Estonia’s concept envisages a shift from a general danger warning to more localised information. The app would warn of threats, but would not replace the detection, tracking and countering of aerial targets.

Development should take six months, but the cost has not been determined

The final cost has not been determined. An adviser to the minister tells ERR that funding is available. The developer and the solution’s final technical form have yet to be announced. The six-month timeframe is a development target, not an announcement of a finished app or a guaranteed date for it to enter service.

In Flank’s assessment, the usefulness of such a warning will depend on timely information and a clear distinction between a target’s established position, its predicted movement and protective instructions. The absence of a displayed target must not give the impression that there is no risk. These are criteria for assessing the future solution, not its announced features.

Developments are continuing and further information may be added when the technical specifications, budget and contractor are announced.