Estonia to Choose Long-Range Air Defense System Capable of Intercepting Ballistic Missiles

Estonia is selecting a long-range air defense system capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. The options include the U.S. Patriot, the Franco-Italian SAMP/T, and Israel’s David’s Sling.

Estonian news outlet ERR reported this, citing Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur.

According to Pevkur, Estonia’s Centre for Defence Investment (RKIK) has already completed an extensive market assessment. Based on its findings, the government will discuss during the state budget negotiations which system to buy, from which manufacturer, and in what quantity.

“The Estonian Centre for Defence Investment is still working with the companies to clarify some details. At the same time, we are preparing a memorandum for the government. Our goal is for the government to make a decision in principle within the next one to two months. After that, the Centre for Defence Investment can begin contract negotiations if necessary,” Pevkur said.

The long-range systems are intended to protect strategic sites, including airports, ports, and command centers of Estonia’s Defense Forces. The destruction of these facilities could significantly weaken the defense capabilities of Estonia and its allies.

According to the publication, Estonia is considering the U.S. Patriot, Israel’s David’s Sling, and the Franco-Italian SAMP/T. In total, requests for proposals were sent to four or five companies.

The minister said that some companies could deliver the air defense systems within two to three years, while others would need eight to nine years.

“The situation on the market varies widely. The companies’ offers also differ: some are proposing systems that are not yet in serial production but are at an advanced stage of development and are nearly ready. The most challenging situation, of course, is with U.S. systems, as they are also being widely used in Ukraine, where ammunition shortages are a major issue. Now, together with the companies, we need to determine whether what they have offered us can actually be delivered,” he said.

The long-range air defense systems are expected to complement Germany’s medium-range IRIS-T SLM air defense systems. Estonia received its first IRIS-T SLM system in late June 2026, with two more scheduled to be delivered in 2027.

Estonia and Latvia jointly purchased the IRIS-T SLM systems in September 2023 as part of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI).

The initiative, launched in 2022, aims to create an integrated European ground-based air defense system and currently includes 23 participating countries. It is also intended to accelerate the process and provide long-term benefits in training, maintenance, and logistics.

Eight ESSI countries have already selected the IRIS-T SLM air defense system: Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Sweden, Denmark, and Switzerland.