Six Brand-New HIMARS Rocket Launchers Are Soon on Their Way to Estonia

The U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin handed over six newly manufactured HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems to Estonia at its headquarters in Arkansas. These rocket systems will be integrated into the Estonian Defence Forces’ arsenal this summer.

The agreement to procure HIMARS, aimed at enhancing the indirect fire capabilities of the Estonian Defence Forces, was signed between the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) and the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) at the end of 2022. This followed years of market analysis and nearly a year of formal activities leading up to the contract.

“Developing such a strategic capability in cooperation with our closest ally, the United States, and achieving delivery within just two years is a clear example of mutual trust and excellent collaboration,” said ECDI Director General Magnus-Valdemar Saar during the handover ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s headquarters in Camden, Arkansas.

The six HIMARS rocket launchers are expected to arrive in Estonia in the coming months. Thanks to pre-delivery training, the Estonian Defence Forces will be ready to deploy the systems immediately.

“Starting this summer, HIMARS will provide us with long-range precision strike capability, significantly enhancing our options for defending Estonia. Through outstanding cooperation with the U.S. HIMARS detachment stationed in Estonia, Unit ‘Victory,’ we have already prepared the personnel for our future rocket artillery battery to ensure the new weapons can be deployed as soon as possible. A major part of this achievement is due to the excellent preparatory work by our leadership team, who have thought outside the box and minimized the time required to bring the systems into service,” said Major Tanel Tatsi, Chief of Staff of the Artillery Battalion.

The acquisition of six HIMARS launchers is one of the largest defense procurement projects in Estonia’s history.

“As part of the contract signed with the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, we are also procuring ammunition, communication solutions, training, logistics, and lifecycle solutions. Also the package includes missiles with different firing ranges,” explained Ramil Lipp, ECDI’s Strategic Category Manager (Armaments).

U.S. funding for this acquisition is part of a security package aimed at strengthening the defense capabilities of Ukraine and NATO’s eastern flank countries. The U.S. has supported various defense initiatives in Estonia, providing $228 million over the past five years for various procurements and infrastructure projects. These funds have been used to replenish stockpiles of large-caliber ammunition, enhance communication capabilities, improve air surveillance, and develop night combat capabilities.