Estonia Purchases Anti-Aircraft Weapons Systems from Finland

February 14, 2012 defpro.com

The Estonian Ministry of Defence procured from Finland a limited number of additional launchers, training and maintenance devices and spare parts for the Mistral SHORAD-system, as well as 23mm ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft cannons to be installed on Navy vessels.

The additional launchers and spare parts for Mistral-system arrived in Estonia this week; the 23mm anti-aircraft cannons were delivered in the summer of 2011.

The 23mm ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft cannons, purchased from Finland, are also used by the air defence units of the Estonian Army. The cannons, purchased from Finland, are installed on special vessel platforms, which also allows for their use against surface targets as well as air targets. The procured cannons will be installed on the vessels of the Estonian Navy.

In addition, a limited quantity launchers, training and target-finding simulators, testing equipment and various special tools and spare parts for the Mistral SHORAD-system were acquired from Finland.

The equipment will be used to complement the Mistral SHORAD-system, purchased back in 2007, and it will reduce the training and life cycle costs of the existing system.

According to Ingvar Pärnamäe, Undersecretary for Defence Investments of the MoD, the procurement concluded with Finland is a reasonable compromise between the high-quality equipment needed by the Defence Forces and a price that is affordable to Estonian taxpayers.

“Procuring additional launchers, training and testing equipment for the Mistral-system serves as a good example of how easy and affordable it is to procure additional equipment after the basic capabilities have been developed for a rather large amount of money. We have conducted similar small procurements to complement the SHORAD system before; last year, we purchased additional launchers and vehicles from Belgium,” explained Pärnamäe.

The weapons and equipment purchased from Finland were used by the Finnish Navy and were removed from their use in connection with the structural changes being introduced in the Navy. The contract also included the adjustment and maintenance of the equipment in Finland.

The total cost of the equipment was EUR 283,050; the exact number of weapons and equipment is confidential under the procurement contract.