Estonia has signed a contract for the purchase of US-made HIMARS multi-missile launch systems for $200 million, the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment (ECDI) announced today.
ECDI Director General Magnus Valdemar Saar reached this agreement yesterday, Friday, with the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), an agency of the US Department of Defense, to enhance the indirect fire capability (i.e. at targets not visible to the array operator) of Estonian forces, according to a statement.
This type of missile launcher was offered by the United States to Ukraine, effectively boosting its firepower against the Russian invasion that began on February 24.
Estonia, which borders Russia, has since increased its defense spending, as have the other Baltic states, Lithuania and Latvia, as well as Poland.
The contract is for six HIMARS systems, ECDI's head of communications Hannah Heinun explained to AFP.
This is the most significant arms purchase ever made by Estonia.
The missiles ordered by Tallinn are of various types with ranges from 70 to 300 km. They will begin to be delivered from 2024.
In November, Lithuania announced its intention to buy eight HIMARS for $495 million.
Source: APM
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