On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (Riigi Kaitseinvesteeringute Keskus or RKIK, also known by its English acronym ECDI) announced the launch of a tender process for the supply of mock-ups/decoys of expensive weapons systems, with an estimated value of 9 million EUR net (A munitions factory will be established in Estonia).
A mock-up of the K9 Thunder howitzer by the Czech company Inflatech, presented at the XXXII International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in Kielce by the Warsaw-based company Mildat / Photo: Mildat
The purpose of the order is to equip the Estonian Defence Forces with various mock-up/decoy systems, along with life-cycle support and usage training. This includes the simulation of actual weapon systems, ammunition for weapon systems, communication equipment, radars, and other strategic capabilities, including command elements.
The deadline for submitting requests to participate in the competitive procedure will expire on October 17, 2024, at 12:00 PM (UTC+3). Deliveries are expected to begin on January 6, 2025, and the contract duration will be 60 months (5 years). A framework agreement is planned to be signed with several contractors, under which individual execution contracts will be concluded.
The tender documentation does not specify which weapon systems the mock-ups will pertain to, but in recent years, the Estonian Defence Forces have acquired many new models and types of modern military equipment that are valuable and would require additional protection. These include: 44 ex-Dutch CV9035EE infantry fighting vehicles (along with 37 support vehicles), 136 Pasi XA-180/188 armored personnel carriers, and 36 K9 Kõu self-propelled howitzers.
Deliveries are also expected for a battery of the IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defense system, six M142 HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, 112 Otokar Arma 6×6 armored personnel carriers, 112 Nurol Makina NMS 4×4 vehicles, two Ground Master 403 Alpha (GM403α) long-range radar stations, and 12 CAESAR wheeled howitzers.
Mock-ups of military equipment have proven effective in the war in Ukraine. The defending side implemented such solutions from the Czech company Inflatech, based in Děčín, Usti nad Labem region. During the recent 32nd International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO 2024 at Targi Kielce, these solutions were presented by the Warsaw-based company Mildat (Mildat will showcase decoy mock-ups produced by the Czech company Inflatech at MSPO 2024).