Estonia, Latvia plan joint purchase of German medium-range IRIS-T air defence systems
HELSINKI –
Estonia and Latvia plan collectively to amass German air defence techniques for the safety of the 2 NATO nations’ airspace in what can be the largest defence co-operation deal between the Baltic neighbours that border Russia, the Estonian and Latvian defence ministries stated Sunday.
According to the provisional deal, deliveries of the medium-range IRIS-T SLM air defence system — manufactured by weapons maker Diehl Defence of Germany — may start in 2025.
The worth of the deal and detailed details about the numbers of the system weren’t disclosed as talks with the provider are nonetheless ongoing, defence ministries of the 2 international locations stated.
Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur described the deal as “a joint project of historical proportions for our defence co-operation, the largest one to date” between Tallinn and Riga.
“Presuming that negotiations are successful, we (Estonia and Latvia) hope to reach contract and, subsequently, announce the official winning bidder this summer,” Pevkur stated in a press release.
The German air defence system, consisting of truck-mounted launchers, missiles and a separate command automobile, is designed to guard cities, armies and civilian inhabitants from air assaults, and being efficient at neutralizing planes and helicopters.
The system can be utilized for defense from a bunch of different threats, corresponding to unmanned aerial automobiles, cruise missiles and loitering munitions.
“Our jointly selected medium-range air defence system will further secure the skies of Latvia and Estonia and will provide the maximum possible protection for our people, as well as civil and military infrastructure,” Latvian Defence Minister Inara Murniece stated in a press release.
Germany has delivered IRIS-T air defence techniques to Ukraine the place, in accordance with media studies, they’ve been efficiently used towards Russian targets since late final 12 months throughout Moscow’s struggle on Kyiv.
