The system will enable building better high-altitude capability for ground-based air defence and significantly increase its areal coverage. The capability to be procured will form part of the whole air defence entity.
“The system will significantly strengthen the capability of Finland’s air defence. Together with the commissioning of the F-35 and the already fielded ground-based air defence systems in service, the air defence of Finland will be very substantial on the European scale,” Commander of the Finnish Air Force, Major General Juha-Pekka Keränen points out.
“The system to be procured stands for a modern and highly capable missile system that meets our strict specifications requirements. Excellently suited for the needs of Finland’s air defence, the system will also be fully NATO-compatible,” Inspector of Ground-Based Air Defence, Colonel Mikko Mäntynen from the Army Command says.
The David’s Sling Weapon System is jointly developed by IMOD Directorate of Defense Research and Development’s (DDR&D), Israeli Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. The procurement deal is for the David’s Sling Weapon System from prime contractor Rafael, including Stunner interceptors, launchers, and datalinks, alongside sensors which will be supplied by IAI’s Elta division. The system will be manufactured and integrated as a collaboration between Israeli, American and Finnish contractors, led by Rafael and Raytheon.
