Estonia has received six HIMARS MRLs. (Estonian Defence Forces (EDF)/Siim Verner Teder)
Estonia received six High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) on 30 April, the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) announced later the same day. The systems were handed over to the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) at Ämari Air Base, to which they had been flown by a Ukrainian Antonov An-124 transport aircraft.
Major General Indrek Sirel, commander of the Estonian Division, said, “The arrival of HIMARS systems provides important additional capabilities for fulfilling the division-level tasks of the [Estonian] Defence Forces. Since US HIMARS units are already stationed in Estonia, our soldiers have already undergone training, and now we can move forward with developing and preparing our own HIMARS unit at the division level.” The ECDI said the EDF had established a staff and completed pre-training for the personnel of a HIMARS rocket artillery battery, in co-operation with US Task Force ‘Victory’, and the first live-fire exercises are planned to begin in the third quarter of 2025.
ECDI Director General Magnus-Valdemar Saar signed a USD200 million contract with the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) for the six HIMARSs in December 2022. The procurement also includes rockets with ranges from 70 to over 300 km, communication systems, training, logistics, and life-cycle support, according to the ECDI.
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