Estonia receives six HIMARS rocket systems to enhance defence capabilities

By Defence Industry Europe

Estonia has taken delivery of six HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems) from U.S. defence contractor Lockheed Martin. The handover ceremony took place at Lockheed Martin’s headquarters in Camden, Arkansas, with the systems expected to be integrated into the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) arsenal later this year.

 

The agreement to procure the HIMARS systems was finalised in late 2022 between the U.S. Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) and the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI). This deal followed several years of market analysis and nearly a year of formal negotiations, aimed at strengthening Estonia’s indirect fire capabilities.

Magnus-Valdemar Saar, Director General of ECDI, highlighted the cooperation during the handover. “Achieving delivery within two years demonstrates the mutual trust and effective collaboration between Estonia and the United States,” he said.

 

 

The systems are set to arrive in Estonia in the coming months, and EDF personnel are already prepared to operate them. According to Major Tanel Tatsi, Chief of Staff of the EDF Artillery Battalion, pre-delivery training has ensured that the systems will be operational upon arrival. “HIMARS will provide long-range precision strike capabilities, significantly improving our defensive options,” Tatsi noted.

The HIMARS acquisition is part of one of Estonia’s largest defence procurement projects to date. The contract includes the rocket launchers, ammunition, communication systems, training, logistics support, and lifecycle solutions. Additionally, it provides for missiles with various ranges, according to Ramil Lipp, Strategic Category Manager (Armaments) at ECDI.

The procurement aligns with broader U.S. efforts to enhance NATO’s eastern flank and support regional security. Over the past five years, the U.S. has allocated $228 million to Estonia for various defence initiatives, including ammunition stockpile replenishment, air surveillance upgrades, and improvements in communication and night combat capabilities.

 

Source: Estonian Centre for Defence Investments.

 

Tags:

Related news & articles

Latest news

Featured