Estonia has officially received six High Mobility Rocket Artillery Systems (HIMARS) from the United States, marking a significant enhancement of its military capabilities. The handover took place on April 30, shortly after the systems arrived in the country.
The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) reported that Estonian Defense Forces personnel have already undergone preliminary training on these advanced artillery systems. They are scheduled to begin live-fire exercises this summer, further integrating HIMARS into their defense operations.
The acquisition of the HIMARS, part of a deal signed in December 2022, includes munitions, communication technology, training, logistics, and lifecycle support. This procurement is aligned with U.S. efforts to bolster NATO’s eastern defenses following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Estonia’s Minister of Defence, Hanno Pevkur, expressed his satisfaction with the delivery, highlighting the strengthened defense partnership with the U.S. He stated, “The U.S.’s crucial role in both financing the procurement and training our defense personnel confirms once again that Estonia and the United States share a broad and deeply rooted defense partnership based on unwavering trust and common goals.”
Further emphasizing regional security, Magnus-Valdemar Saar, ECDI Director General, noted that these HIMARS systems are part of a collaborative defense effort among the three Baltic states, with Latvia and Lithuania expected to receive similar systems soon. This collective initiative represents a substantial advancement in the region’s defense capabilities, enabling rapid strike actions deep into adversarial territory.
Matthew Wall, the U.S. charge d’affaires in Tallinn, described the handover as a pivotal moment in Estonian military history, enabling commanders to influence operations over vast distances. He reinforced Estonia’s status as a dedicated and serious ally of the United States, committed to both its own defense and the enhancement of NATO’s collective security.
This milestone not only strengthens Estonia’s defense capabilities but also fosters greater cooperation among Baltic states, highlighting a unified approach to regional security. With the implementation of HIMARS, Estonia is poised to significantly enhance its deterrence and response abilities, contributing positively to NATO’s overall posture in Eastern Europe.