Estonia has started preparing to create a ballistic missile defense system, which is likely to require investments of over one billion euros. Currently, the most discussed options include air defense systems from Israeli, American, and Franco-Italian production, including the Patriot system, as reported by ERR.
In September 2023, Estonia's Minister of Defense, Hanno Pevkur, signed an agreement worth 400 million euros, under which the country ordered three batteries of IRIS-T air defense systems, as well as corresponding radars and control centers. This deal became the largest defense procurement in Estonia's history and ended long debates on whether the country could afford medium-range air defense systems. The first IRIS-T installations are expected by the end of 2025, and Estonia has already expressed interest in ordering additional supplies of weapons and ammunition from the manufacturer, Diehl Defence.
The IRIS-T SLM systems, with a range of up to 40 kilometers, provide protection against enemy aircraft and cruise missiles. In the future, the company plans to develop the SLX missile, with a range of 80 kilometers, which will be effective against aircraft dropping gliding bombs. However, as demonstrated by the experience of the war in Ukraine, air defense systems, despite their effectiveness, can become targets for the enemy.
Estonia also plans to significantly strengthen its defense capabilities by acquiring long-range air defense systems capable of dealing with ballistic missiles. Minister Pevkur stated that the country is preparing to select a system that will effectively protect strategic objects such as airfields, ports, and critical control points.
The systems being considered include the European SAMP/T with the Aster missile, the American Patriot, and the Israeli "David's Sling" system. All of these systems are already used by Estonia's allied countries, and each has demonstrated its effectiveness in real combat conditions. For example, SAMP/T and Patriot systems have shown good results in Ukraine. These systems can strike targets at distances of over 100 kilometers and at altitudes up to 20 kilometers, making them effective against ballistic missiles during the final phase of their flight.
Pevkur emphasized that the choice of system depends not only on technical characteristics but also on funding. He noted that Estonia has already entered negotiations with manufacturers and expects specific proposals regarding prices, delivery times, and the number of installations required. However, at this time, the country cannot precisely estimate whether the total procurement cost will amount to one billion euros or more.
Additionally, as the minister pointed out, the final decision will be influenced not only by military needs but also by available financial resources, whether from government funding or funds raised through pan-European loans. Estonia will also consider its strategic partnership with allies such as the USA and France, which are manufacturers of some of the systems under consideration.
Estonia continues to strengthen its defense in the face of the growing threat from neighboring Russia, and the selection of a long-range air defense system will be a crucial step in ensuring the country's security in the long term.
