Estonia Signs €200 Million Deal with MBDA for Mistral 3 Air Defence Systems

In a major boost to its national defense, Estonia has signed a €200 million contract with French arms manufacturer MBDA for the supply of Mistral 3 short-range air defence systems. The deal, made public via the European Union’s tender platform, marks a significant investment in strengthening Estonia’s airspace protection capabilities amid growing regional security concerns.

The Mistral 3 is the latest and most advanced version of MBDA’s renowned very short-range air defence (VSHORAD) missile system. Weighing just 20 kilograms, this shoulder-launched weapon uses infrared-guided targeting and advanced image processing to deliver high-precision strikes. Operating on a “fire-and-forget” basis, the system does not require the operator to guide the missile after launch, making it ideal for rapid-response scenarios.

With a top speed of Mach 2.7 and a lethal 3-kilogram warhead, the Mistral 3 can engage a wide variety of airborne threats—including fighter jets, helicopters, drones, cruise missiles, and even low-flying transport aircraft—within a range of up to 8 kilometers. According to MBDA, the Mistral 3 boasts an effectiveness rate of over 96%, placing it among the most dependable systems in its category.

Estonia has previously operated older variants of the Mistral system, but this new procurement marks a leap forward in capability. While the Estonian Ministry of Defence has not revealed how many systems will be delivered or the exact delivery timeline, this upgrade will undoubtedly enhance the nation’s rapid air threat response potential.

The groundwork for this acquisition was laid in June 2023, when Estonia, along with France, Belgium, Cyprus, and Hungary, entered a joint agreement to purchase Mistral 3 systems under a collaborative European defence framework. This multinational effort culminated in a framework agreement signed during the Eurosatory 2024 defence expo in Paris, enabling joint procurement through France’s defence acquisition agency, DGA.

The procurement reflects Estonia's strategic shift toward deeper European defence cooperation, particularly in light of heightened tensions near its borders. For Estonia, a frontline NATO state bordering Russia, modernizing air defence is not just a tactical decision—it’s a national priority.

With this €200 million deal, Estonia becomes the latest European nation to bet on the battle-tested and technologically advanced Mistral 3, solidifying its commitment to staying prepared in an increasingly uncertain security environment.