Newest NATO Member, Finland Selects Israeli David’s Sling Air Defense System

The Finnish Ministry of Defence has chosen Israel-made David’s Sling system as the next long-range air defence system of Finland.

Finland, which became a NATO member on Arpril 4 shares a large land border with Russia.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (Israel) will deliver the system. The value of the procurement without value added tax is approximately €316 million.

The David’s Sling system will extend the operational range of Finland’s ground-based air defence capabilities significantly. The minimum flight altitude requirement of the system was set at 15,000 meters in the request for quotation.

“This acquisition will create a new capability for the Finnish Defence Forces to intercept targets at high altitude,” Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen said.

The procurement consists of a main contract worth approximately €213 million excluding VAT and the immediate exercise of options linked to the main contract worth €103 million. The contract includes further options worth €216 million excluding VAT. The possible exercise of these options requires a separate decision.

The David’s Sling system is a long-range air defence system jointly developed by Israel and the United States. The sale of the system to Finland will require a sales release by the United States Government.

Finnish industry, together with Rafael and Raytheon, will participate in the integration of the system and in the planning and equipping of the command and control elements.