The Estonian and Latvian authorities have signed an agreement for the purchase of medium-range anti-aircraft systems. The order worth EUR 400 million is the largest defense contract in the history of independent Estonia, the BNS news agency reported.
Defense Ministers Estonia and Latvia signed an agreement on Monday to purchase IRIS-T SLM medium-range anti-aircraft systems from the German defense company Diehl Defense. The order worth EUR 400 million is the largest defense contract in the history of independent Estonia, the BNS news agency reported.
– The development of Estonian national defense has reached another key point. The signed agreement is of historical importance and is an unprecedented example of Estonian defense investments and Estonian-Latvian defense cooperation, which will significantly increase the security of our nation, noted Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur.
– Barbaric war Russia in Ukraine showed that air defense is crucial to protecting the population, armed forces and critical infrastructure, he added.
Estonia signed an arms contract, ordering German anti-aircraft systemsX/HPevkur platform
Estonia and Latvia are arming themselves
Estonia i Latvia signed a letter of intent regarding joint purchases of medium-range air defense systems during the summit FOR THIS in Madrid in June 2022.
In July last year, an agreement was signed to start joint purchases. The Estonian government has allocated funds for the purchase of medium-range air defense systems in September 2022.
The IRIS-T SLM system was designed to combat manned and unmanned aircraft, cruise missiles, guided weapon systems and certain types of ballistic missiles.
It is able to hit several targets simultaneously and neutralize threats from a distance of up to 40 kilometers and an altitude of up to 20 kilometers. The system parts are mobile and can be moved quickly because they are mounted on trucks. One launcher of the system can carry up to eight missiles.
Main photo source: X/HPevkur platform