The upgrade involved improvements to the Air Situation Data Exchange (ASDE) Gateway Service, which enables the real-time exchange of filtered and downgraded air picture information. This capability strengthens air safety, supports air traffic management, and reduces the risk of cross-border incidents through enhanced coordination between the Estonian Air Force and Estonian Air Navigation Services.
The upgrade was delivered swiftly in response to an urgent operational request from Estonia, highlighting NCIA’s operational responsiveness. “We are ready to react efficiently when called upon to ensure continuous and reliable support to Allied air operations,” explains John Booth, NCIA Air Command and Control Centre Chief.
Estonia maintains two complementary air-surveillance systems: the Police and Border Guard Board oversees maritime borders and tracks low-altitude aerial activity near the frontier, while the Estonian Air Force operates a long-range radar network integrated into NATO’s broader air defence architecture. The nation’s role in NATO air security continues to evolve alongside its defence capabilities.
Estonia’s accession to the AirC2 Communications and Information Partnership (AirC2 C&IP) in 2025 provided the legal and technical foundation that enabled this rapid system upgrade. The development marks a further step in reinforcing Allied cooperation and operational integration across NATO’s eastern flank.
Source: NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA).
