The US State Department has approved the sale of Javelin anti-tank missile system to Estonia, the sale next goes before Congress for approval.
The sale of the Javelin anti-tank missile system will strengthen the security of Estonia as an ally of the United States and is in the interests of the US, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.
“The proposed sale will improve Estonia’s capability to meet current and future threats and provide greater security for its critical infrastructure,” the statement adds.
Estonia’s Defence Minister Sven Mikser said the US understands that in the new security situation, Estonia must increase deterrence of potential aggressors. “With these new anti-tank missile systems, we will increase our Defence Forces’ fighting capability,” he pointed out. “We hope to conclude the agreement before the year is out and ensure that the weapons systems reach Estonia as fast as possible.”
Javelin is a fire-and-forget missile with lock-on before launch and automatic self-guidance. The system takes a top-attack flight profile against armored vehicles (attacking the top armor, which is generally thinner), but can also take a direct-attack mode for use against buildings. This missile also has the ability to engage helicopters in the direct attack mode.
The purchase of the Javelins is in line with the national defence development plan for 2013-2022, which calls for reinforcing the Defence Forces’ anti-tank capability and the purchase of third-generation anti-tank missile systems.
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Cover photo: US Army unit firing Javelin, courtesy of ZStoler/Wikimedia Commons.
