Estonia is considering additional acquisitions of long-range precision strike systems, but if the U.S. cannot deliver M142 HIMARS on schedule, Tallinn may turn to alternative platforms from competing manufacturers.
Video ScreenshotEstonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur revealed this possibility in an interview with Breaking Defense, citing growing concerns over prolonged delivery timelines for HIMARS. “Time is not on our side,” he emphasized, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
If Estonia proceeds with the U.S. systems, this would mark its second HIMARS order. The first deal, signed in 2022 for €200 million, did not specify the exact number of launchers and missiles, though a prior U.S. approval allowed for the purchase of six HIMARS launchers, 18 ATACMS missiles, 36 GMLRS pods [each containing six rockets], and 72 extended-range GMLRS pods, with a total budget cap of $500 million.
However, the first HIMARS units are only expected to arrive in Estonia by 2025—a timeline that explains Tallinn’s concerns, given that even a limited number of launchers require years to deliver.
With Estonia seeking to bolster its firepower sooner rather than later, the country is keeping its options open. A pivot to alternative systems is very much on the table. For instance, Poland opted to supplement its massive HIMARS order [which could reach up to 486 launchers] with South Korea’s K239 Chunmoo, ensuring quicker deliveries.
Germany, too, recently expanded its artillery capabilities, complementing its tracked M270 launchers with an order for Israel’s PULS system earlier this month.
The situation highlights an emerging trend in defense procurement: even smaller nations with modest armed forces—Estonia fields only around 7,000 active personnel, with ground forces comprising roughly 3,750 troops—are increasingly willing to create a so-called “zoo” of weapon systems.
While such an approach may pose logistical and interoperability challenges, it also grants nations greater flexibility and resilience amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.
With Estonia set to make its decision in the coming months, the strategic implications of its choice will extend beyond just its own borders.
If Tallinn does opt for a non-American alternative, it could serve as a wake-up call for U.S. defense suppliers struggling with backlog issues—and signal a broader shift in how NATO’s smaller members navigate their security needs in an era of prolonged high-intensity threats.
The HIMARS [High Mobility Artillery Rocket System] is a flexible, cost-effective, and highly mobile artillery system developed by Lockheed Martin, providing significant firepower on a wheeled chassis. It’s designed to meet the demands of modern battlefields with its ability to launch a variety of munitions from the MLRS [Multiple Launch Rocket System] family.
The launcher itself is mounted on a 5-ton Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles [FMTV] truck chassis, making it transportable by C-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster, and C-5 Galaxy aircraft, which enhances its strategic deployment capabilities.
HIMARS can carry a single pod that holds either six GMLRS [Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System] rockets, two Precision Strike Missiles [PrSM], or one MGM-140 ATACMS [Army Tactical Missile System] missile.
The GMLRS rockets come in various configurations, including the M31 Unitary Warhead for point targets and the M30A1 Alternative Warhead for area targets, both offering precision guidance capabilities.
The M31 has a range of about 70 kilometers, while the M30A1 provides a similar range but with a different warhead design focused on reducing unexploded ordnance. The ATACMS missile extends the range up to 300 kilometers, offering a significant strategic reach.
The Precision Strike Missile [PrSM] is designed to eventually replace the ATACMS, with an initial range of around 400 kilometers, expandable in future upgrades.
HIMARS is operated by a crew of three – a driver, gunner, and section chief, but its fire control system allows operation by as few as one soldier. This system is compatible with the M270A1’s fire control, electronics, and communications, ensuring interoperability and ease of training.
The launcher includes a sophisticated fire control system with video, keyboard control, a gigabyte of program storage, and GPS, allowing for both automatic and manual firing modes.
The system’s “shoot and scoot” capability means it can fire its munitions and quickly relocate, reducing vulnerability to counter-battery fire. This mobility, combined with its precision strike capabilities, makes HIMARS particularly effective in rapidly changing combat scenarios, especially in support of joint early and forced entry expeditionary operations.
In terms of deployment, HIMARS has been used by the U.S. Army, and Marine Corps, and has been exported to several countries like Jordan, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates, among others.
It has seen action in conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and notably in Ukraine against Russian forces, where its precision and mobility have been pivotal in strategic engagements.
The cost of HIMARS includes not only the launcher system itself but also the expensive munitions like ATACMS and GMLRS rockets, making it a significant investment for any military force.
However, its versatility, precision, and mobility justify its use in modern military strategies, particularly in scenarios requiring rapid deployment and sustained, precise fire support.
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