Estonia eyes Israel's David Sling for missile defense against Russia

SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 15:59Estonia is contemplating purchasing Israel’s David Sling missile defense system as it bolsters its long-range air defenses and plans to invest over €1 billion in a new long-range ground-based air defense system to protect strategic sites.In addition to the combat-proven Israeli system, Tallinn is also looking at the American Patriot and the Franco-Italian SAMP/T, Estonia’s ERR news website reported, adding that about five bids were received from various companies.ERR quoted the country’s Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur as saying that some companies could deliver within two or three years, while others would take eight or nine years to deliver the system.Estonia’s Centre for Defense Investment (ECDI) has already completed an extensive market assessment of available missile defense systems, and it will look not only at how much the system costs to acquire, but also life cycle costs that include personnel, training, and long-term maintenance.ESTONIAN PRIME MINISTER Kristen Michal speaks to the media as he arrives for a NATO summit in The Hague in June. Opening an Israeli embassy in Estonia is an excellent use of money, especially now, the writer maintains. (credit: Kin Cheung/Reuters)According to Pevkur, the goal is for the government to make a decision within the next two months and for the ECDI to then begin contract negotiations. The system will complement Germany’s medium-range IRIS-T air defense systems - the first of which was delivered in June and two more scheduled to be delivered by next year."The most difficult thing is, of course, with US products, because they are also actively used in Ukraine, and we see that the most difficult thing is with ammunition there. This is the work that we now have to do with companies to understand whether what was offered to us is actually feasible or not," Pevkur was quoted by ERR as saying.David’s Sling missile defense system is designed to intercept tactical ballistic missiles, medium- to long-range rockets, and cruise missiles fired at ranges between 40 and 300 kilometers.The system is a joint Israel-US project, with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems collaborating with American defense contractor Raytheon, which also produces the Patriot missile system.Other components of the system were developed by Elta - a subdivision of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) - which developed the system's radar, and the Elisra subdivision of Elbit Systems, which developed the command and control mechanisms.Europe has increasingly turned to Israeli air defense technology over the past decade, especially after Russia invaded Ukraine and the growing demand for rapid, combat‑proven systems. Several Israeli systems, including the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Spyder, have been selected by European governments.On Monday, Greece and Israel signed one of the largest defense export agreements in Israel’s history: a €3 billion government‑to‑government deal that will see Israel design and deliver a complete, multi‑layered national air defense architecture for the Hellenic Republic’s Achilles Shield project. The project will integrate several Israeli‑made systems into a unified national network. At its core are David’s Sling, BARAK MX, and SPYDER missile defense systems developed by Israeli defense companies and already deployed operationally within Israel’s own air defense array.Germany also purchased Israel’s Arrow 3 system with a landmark €4 billion agreement to provide exoatmospheric interception capability. Finland purchased David’s Sling after joining NATO, signing a deal worth more than €300 million.Central European states have also moved toward Israeli systems, with the Czech Republic receiving the Spyder medium‑range system, Slovakia selecting the Barak MX, and Romania reportedly in negotiations to acquire the Iron Dome, which would make it the first European country to deploy Israel’s famous short‑range interceptor.Follow us on Google