On January 22, 2025, the American defense company Lockheed Martin announced the delivery of six M142 HIMARS rocket systems to Estonia, marking a step in enhancing the country’s defense capabilities in response to regional security challenges. The official handover took place in Arkansas, United States, during a ceremony organized by the Estonian Defense Investment Center (RKIK).
The HIMARS systems will be transported to Estonia by sea in the spring and are expected to become operational with the Estonian Defense Forces by early summer 2025. Due to extensive preparations before delivery, the systems will be ready for immediate deployment. The contract for their acquisition, signed in December 2022, followed years of market analysis and nearly a year of formal negotiations. Valued at over $200 million, the deal is one of the most significant armament procurement in Estonia’s military history.
The M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is a rocket launcher system mounted on a 6×6 FMTV truck chassis and developed by Lockheed Martin under an advanced technology demonstration program. It is capable of firing GMLRS-guided rockets with a range of up to 70 km, as well as M57 ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles with a range of up to 300 km. The armored cabin accommodates three operators—a driver, a gunner, and a section chief—and protects against small arms fire and artillery fragments. The system is also transportable by C-130 aircraft and can relocate quickly after firing to avoid enemy detection.