Estonia Receives Six HIMARS Units From Lockheed Martin

Estonia has formally taken delivery of six High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) from U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin during a ceremony at the company’s Arkansas headquarters.

The acquisition follows a $200-million contract signed in December 2022 between the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency and the Estonian Defence Investment Center (RKIK), marking one of Tallinn’s largest defense procurements. The agreement also includes ammunition, communications systems, training, logistics, lifecycle support, and missiles with varying ranges, according to RKIK’s Head of Armaments, Ramil Lipp.

Once operational with the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) this summer, the HIMARS systems will be combat-ready, as EDF personnel have already undergone training with the U.S.-based HIMARS target unit “Võit.” Major Tanel Tatsi of the EDF Artillery Battalion confirmed that training and technical preparations are on schedule.

Estonia’s acquisition of HIMARS comes amid heightened security concerns in the Baltic region due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Neighboring countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Croatia have also procured the system to bolster their defense capabilities.

Lockheed Martin’s HIMARS is a mobile artillery platform capable of firing GMLRS rockets, precision strike missiles, and ATACMS missiles, with a range extending up to 499 kilometers depending on the munition.

To fully utilize the long-range capabilities of the HIMARS, targeting data will rely on reconnaissance aircraft, drones, or satellites. Estonia plans to enhance its independent targeting capabilities in the future while continuing cooperation with allies.