On June 11th, 2024, Estonian Minister of Defense, Hanno Pevkur, announced that Estonia will provide an undisclosed number of Mistral man-portable short-range air defense systems and missiles to Ukraine as part of a new military assistance package.
The Mistral systems, manufactured in France, are designed to target low-altitude aircraft and can be mounted on various platforms, including vehicles, ships, and helicopters. They have a maximum range of 6 kilometers. In announcing the donation, Minister Pevkur stated that Ukraine urgently needed to strengthen its air defenses to counter Russia’s ongoing attacks. He emphasized that the aid package was structured to maximize benefits for Ukraine while preserving the operational capabilities of the Estonian Defense Forces. The specific details and scope of the assistance were not disclosed for security reasons.
On June 11, 2018, Estonia signed a 50 million euro contract with European missile manufacturer MBDA for the purchase of short-range Mistral air defense missiles, including training missiles, simulators, and testing and maintenance equipment. The contract was signed in Paris by Colonel Rauno Sirk, Director of the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment (ECDI), and Didier Philippe, Senior Vice President of MBDA for NATO countries. The contract also included an option for purchasing additional missiles up to a total of 100 million euros. The first systems were to be delivered in 2020. The contract was aimed at renewing and augmenting Estonia’s Mistral missile arsenal, which the Estonian Defense Forces have been using since 2009, with the latest generation offering enhanced precision and extended lifespan.