Estonia inks $200 Mln contract with US to purchase HIMARS: Ministry

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The Estonian Center for Defense Investments (ECDI), under the Estonian Defense Ministry, announced on Saturday that Estonia and the United States inked a $200 million contract to purchase High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

"On Friday, Magnus-Valdemar Saar, Director General of the Estonian Centre for Defense Investments (ECDI), signed a contract with the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) for the procurement of the HIMARS multiple rocket launcher systems, which is an important capacity boost in the development of Estonia’s indirect fire capability... The total value of the contract is more than 200 million dollars," the statement read.

Meanwhile, Saar claimed that the renewal of Estonian military forces' equipment and ammunition would aid the country in meeting its defense objectives.

The contract is Estonia's largest arms procurement project ever, according to Ramil Lipp, ECDI Armament Category Manager.

"As part of the contract, in addition to the weapon system, Estonia will also procure ammunition, communications solutions, as well as training, logistics, and life-cycle solutions. The package includes rockets with different effects, ranging from 70 to 300 kilometers [43 to 186 miles]," Lipp added in a statement posted by the ECDI.

In addition to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were anticipated to purchase the HIMARS multiple rocket system, according to the ECDI. The first HIMARS delivery to Estonia would take occur in 2024, according to the center.

The year 2022 has seen an increase in demand for HIMARS as a result of the systems' publicity during their combat deployment in Ukraine. Along with Estonia, numerous other countries, including Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Australia, revealed their intention to purchase this type of armament from the United States at the same time.