Latvia and Estonia signal deal to purchase German-made missile protection system

VIENNA — Estonia and Latvia signed an settlement Monday with Germany to buy a medium-range air protection missile system that opens the way in which for the 2 Baltic nations to affix a typical air protection system proposed by Germany final yr.

The settlement was signed Monday at a gathering of protection ministers within the German metropolis of Roetenbach an der Pegnitz, and concerned what officers stated was the general sale of 1 billion euros ($1.07 billion) value of IRIS-T protection methods produced by German firm Diehl Protection.

Estonia and Latvia beforehand have signed letters of intent to joint the Sky Defend Initiative, a typical air protection system proposed by Germany in 2022 within the wake of the Russian warfare in opposition to Ukraine. The undertaking presently contains 16 NATO member states, NATO invitee Sweden, in addition to the impartial states Austria and Switzerland.

Monday’s deal signifies that Germany replaces america as Estonia’s greatest protection associate, Estonian Protection Minister Hanno Pevkur stated.

“That is by far the most important protection funding in Estonian historical past,” Pevkur stated. He added that the Russian warfare in opposition to Ukraine “is exhibiting us how necessary it’s to have the ability to defend ourselves, our nations, our alliances.”

Latvian Protection Minister Inara Murniece stated that for her nation it was the “largest army buy” since gaining independence. “Latvia is presently allocating 2.3% of GDP to protection spending. And we have now plans to extend our protection funds to three% of GDP I hope the subsequent yr,” she stated.

German Protection Minister Boris Pistorius welcomed the joint buy saying that can “with none doubt strengthen European air protection.” He additionally stated that Germany itself already has concluded a contract to obtain six IRIS-T methods from Diehl.