Estonia to receive HIMARS ammunition, but not ATACMS

Estonia is preparing to receive ammunition for its HIMARS multiple rocket launcher systems, but the United States is not currently supplying the longer-range missiles, ERR reported. Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said Estonian representatives are in the United States assembling the shipment, which could arrive in September.

Estonia ordered ammunition from Lockheed Martin with ranges of 70 and 300 kilometres. Pevkur said the United States is not currently supplying allies with ATACMS missiles, which have a range of 300 kilometres.

“The Estonian people responsible for this and for assembling the missiles are in the United States. Once assembly is complete, transport to Estonia will begin,” Pevkur said, adding that the exact timing was difficult to predict.

In late 2022, the State Defence Investment Centre signed a contract to acquire multiple rocket launcher systems for Estonia. A US battery remained in Estonia to train defence force crews until the country’s own systems arrived. The launchers arrived in spring last year.

“As for ATACMS ammunition, it has still not been released by the US administration to allies in light of the war in Iran. So it is not available at present,” Pevkur said.