US approves M142 HIMARS sale to Estonia

The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale to Estonia of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

This was announced on the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

In addition to the self-propelled launchers, the sale of related equipment, spare parts, and ammunition, as well as technical support were also approved.

The total estimated cost of the possible foreign military sale to Estonia is up to $500 million.

Other than the launchers, Estonia can receive: 36 missile pods with M30A2 missiles, 36 missile pods with M31A2 missiles, 36 missile pods with XM403 missiles, and 36 unitary pods with XM404 ammunition.

The arsenal of Estonian HIMARS can also include 18 ATACMS operational-tactical ballistic missile systems.

The statement said that this sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally in Europe.

Estonia intends to use advanced US weapons to modernize its own armed forces, expand the capability to strengthen its homeland defense, and deter regional threats.

Previously, the government of Estonia made a request to the US for the purchase of up to six HIMARS launchers.

The principal contractor for this potential sale will be Lockheed Martin.

M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) uses a 6-wheel chassis of an M1140 FMTV tactical truck. The system can be used as a rocket launcher with ammunition of different ranges and as a tactical missile system.

At the beginning of this year, Estonia purchased more than 500 missiles for its Israeli produced Spike SR anti-tank missile systems. This order is part of a €40 million deal signed in 2019 to supply 18 launchers to the Estonian Army over 7 years. However, the launchers were already delivered in 2020.