On Saturday, April 11, 2026, the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI, Kaitseministeerium), an agency under the Estonian Ministry of Defence, announced that it had signed a contract with the American company Lockheed Martin for the delivery of three additional M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) multiple rocket launchers together with guided munitions, which will join the six already in service. The agreement also includes an investment of approximately 11 million USD in the Estonian defense industry.
Photo: Estonian Ministry of Defence
“Additional HIMARS systems will ensure the deep-strike capability required by the Estonian Defence Forces and NATO, significantly strengthening both our national defence capability and deterrence. Expanding cooperation with Lockheed Martin will also directly support the development of Estonia’s defence industry,” said Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur.
On April 30 of last year, the first six HIMARS rocket launchers were delivered to Estonia under a government-to-government agreement signed on December 3, 2022, worth more than 200 million USD. The purchase of three additional systems and extra ammunition continues Estonia’s cooperation with Lockheed Martin.
“This is a deliberate and long-term effort that supports the implementation of NATO defence plans. Equally important is Lockheed Martin’s direct investment in Estonia, as such investments in national defence and the defence industry make Estonia as a whole more secure,” Pevkur added.
The contract with Lockheed Martin will also support the involvement of the local defense industry.
“In addition to rocket systems and ammunition, the new agreement includes an investment in Estonia’s defence industry, resulting in the establishment of HIMARS component maintenance capability in Estonia, to be provided by local companies,” said Janari Kasemets, Category Manager for Combat Platforms at the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI).
According to Kasemets, it is encouraging that Lockheed Martin is prepared to involve local companies. “The USD 11 million investment in Estonia will be combined, at Lockheed Martin’s initiative, with investments in neighbouring countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Finland, in order to build broader regional expertise and ensure the availability of required services locally,” he added.
The additional HIMARS launchers are to arrive in Estonia in 2027.
Earlier, on March 28 this year, Lockheed Martin Vice President Paula J. Hartley visited Tallinn. The talks focused on establishing the aforementioned HIMARS sustainment support center, which will also cover systems operated by Lithuania (8 launchers) and Latvia (6 launchers).
Analysis
It is worth recalling that on September 29, 2025, information appeared on the website of the U.S. Congress from Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Director Michael F. Miller, who informed senators of a request from Estonia regarding the intended purchase of six additional HIMARS launchers together with extra ammunition.
As for the munitions, the request submitted together with the first systems included 36 pods of M30A2 GMLRS AW guided rockets, 36 pods of M31A2 Unitary, 36 pods of XM403 ER-GMLRS AW, 36 pods of EM404 ER-GMLRS, and 18 MGM-140 ATACMS-U (M57) ballistic missiles. The new package includes 250 pods of M31A2 GMLRS AW, 250 pods of M30A2 GMLRS AW, and 200 MGM-140 M57 ATACMS-U missiles.
These rocket capabilities will be complemented by six K239 Chunmoo launchers, which were ordered from the South Korean company Hanwha Aerospace on December 21, 2025, for EUR 290 million. The package includes CGR-080, CTM-MR, and CTM-290 guided munitions, as well as operational and training support. The intention to acquire the Korean system was announced on October 23, 2025.
Estonia’s artillery also includes tube systems: 36 K9EST Kõu 155 mm self-propelled howitzers and 12 French CAESAR Mk1 6×6 systems, the first of which have already arrived in the country.
#Estonia will acquire 3 additional 𝐇𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐒 rocket systems and more ammunition from 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧. The deal includes an $11M investment into Estonia’s defense industry and strengthens @NATO’s long-range strike capabilities. #WeAreNATO pic.twitter.com/IPPLzTuAB4
— MoD Estonia (@MoD_Estonia) April 12, 2026
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