Estonia to Acquire 800 New Javelin Missiles in Major Deal Approved by the U.S

Estonia is set to significantly strengthen its defense capabilities with the planned purchase of hundreds of advanced anti-tank Javelin missiles. The United States has officially approved a deal that will allow Estonia to acquire up to 800 FGM-148F Javelin missiles along with 72 Lightweight Command Launch Units (LWCLUs). The proposed agreement, valued at up to $296 million, marks a substantial step in Estonia’s efforts to modernize its defense systems amid growing regional security concerns.

The Javelin missile is a portable, shoulder-fired weapon designed to destroy armored vehicles such as tanks. The latest version, the FGM-148F, comes equipped with a Multi-Purpose Warhead capable of penetrating between 600 to 800 millimeters of rolled homogeneous armor. It has an effective range from just 65 meters to nearly 5 kilometers, making it highly versatile in battlefield conditions.

Estonia already has experience operating older versions of the Javelin system. In 2014, the country bought 80 launcher units and 350 FGM-148E missiles, which it began using in 2015. In a show of solidarity and support, Estonia sent 100 of these missiles to Ukraine in March 2022 following the Russian invasion, with more shipments following later.

The new deal is not only meant to replace those donated weapons but also to boost the overall strength of Estonia’s defense forces. With these updated FGM-148F variants, Estonia aims to ensure its infantry has the best available tools to counter modern armored threats.

Globally, the FGM-148F variant is being adopted by a growing number of countries. Apart from the U.S. Army, nations like Poland, Lithuania, and Australia have also integrated the system. Countries such as Thailand and Norway have placed recent orders, while others like Romania, Kosovo, Morocco, Bulgaria, Tunisia, and Ireland have had recent sales approved. Further interest has been expressed by Albania, Brazil, Latvia, and Estonia itself.

In total, the Javelin system is currently in use in 24 countries. Ukraine, in particular, has been a major recipient through military aid. Meanwhile, U.S. defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin has confirmed ongoing discussions with India about the potential local production of the system.

This new arms purchase is a strategic move by Estonia to ensure readiness and self-reliance. According to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the approved sale will “improve Estonia’s capability to meet current and future threats by maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.”

As the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, Estonia's investment in modern missile systems highlights the importance of staying prepared, especially for smaller NATO countries positioned near Russia.