Estonia is gearing up to enhance its air defense capabilities amid rising security concerns related to potential Russian ballistic missile threats. The Estonian government is considering a significant investment of approximately 1 billion euros (about $1.10 billion) to procure a long-range air defense system. The frontrunners for this defense contract include the Israeli David’s Sling, the American Patriot, and the Franco-Italian SAMP/T systems, as indicated by a senior official from the Estonian Center for Defense Investments (RKIK), reported by the public broadcaster ERR.
This initiative comes shortly after Estonia’s recent procurement of the IRIS-T Surface Launched Missile (SLM) system from Germany in September 2023. The contract, worth 400 million euros (around $439 million), covers three IRIS-T SLM batteries, complete with radars and control centers. The initial deliveries of this system are anticipated by the end of the current year, and plans for additional IRIS-T ammunition purchases are already underway. The IRIS-T SLM system is designed to intercept various aerial threats, including aircraft and cruise missiles, with an effective reach of up to 40 kilometers (approximately 25 miles). However, a more advanced version known as the IRIS-T SLX, capable of engaging targets at a distance of 80 kilometers (about 50 miles), is still several years away from production.
Despite these advancements, Estonian officials have expressed concerns over the limited range of the IRIS-T system and its inability to counter ballistic missiles, prompting the search for a more robust air defense solution. Mati Tikerpuu, a category manager at RKIK, emphasized the necessity for long-range air defense systems that are capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, saying, “We are going to procure long-range air defense, with capabilities against ballistic missiles.”
Given Estonia’s geographical proximity to Russia, which shares an eastern border with the nation, there are heightened fears regarding the threat posed by Moscow’s arsenal, notably the 9K720 Iskander-M missile. This missile boasts a range of 500 kilometers (about 311 miles) and can reach speeds nearing 8,000 kilometers per hour (roughly 4,970 miles per hour). Estonia aims to acquire a system that can intercept incoming missiles at a range of 100 kilometers (approximately 62 miles) and at an altitude of 20 kilometers (about 12 miles).
Due to the immediate threat from its neighbor, Estonia has ruled out considering systems like the exoatmospheric Arrow 3 missile system, which would be intended for longer-range engagements. Tikerpuu explained that since the potential adversary is in close proximity, they will not need to launch attacks from long distances.
Estonia has already initiated preliminary discussions with the three potential manufacturers and anticipates more detailed negotiations regarding the quantity, delivery timelines, and pricing of the proposed systems in the coming months. While the exact procurement amount remains unspecified, it is expected to be in the billions of euros, marking a significant step in bolstering Estonia’s defense against missile threats.
