After joining NATO, Finland plans to buy Israeli missile defense systems

Finland has announced its plan to procure the joint US-Israeli-made David’s Sling long-range missile defense system, after joint the US-led military alliance NATO.

“This acquisition will create a new capability for the Finnish Defense Forces to intercept targets at high altitude,” Finland’s Defense Minister, Antti Kaikkonen, said on Wednesday, adding, ”We are continuing the ambitious and long-term development of Finland’s defense capability in a new security environment.”

Finland made the announcement just a day after it became the newest member of NATO, amid escalating tensions with Russia.

The missile system manufacturers claim that David’s Sling system can intercept drones, planes, and ballistic missiles at a range of 40 to 300 kilometers and offers a “high probability of kill” against a wide range of air and missile defense targets.

According to the manufacturers, a total of 12 interceptors can be carried from a launcher and fired from a near-vertical position of the weapons system.

The missile system deal between Finland and Israel is valued at $344 million.

The Finnish Ministry of Defense said the two sides had agreed on the “main contract” and now needed to sign a “security of supply” pact as part of the procurement contract. The sale of the weapon system to Finland is also subject to US approval.

Prime contractors, Israeli-based Rafael and US-based Raytheon, will work in collaboration with Finnish industry to integrate the system and manage “equipping of the command and control elements,” noted the Finnish Ministry of Defense.

Finland, which had for decades been a militarily neutral country not siding with either NATO or the former Soviet bloc, decided to join the Northern Alliance after Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

There had been various US-orchestrated pushes for NATO membership by former governments, but they never got very far.

However, polls taken just days after the Russians entered Ukraine showed massive jumps in support for NATO membership and the Helsinki government acted quickly, formally submitting its NATO bid on May 18.

Sweden joined Finland in its NATO bid; however, it has yet to be accepted as a member of the Western military alliance.

“We welcomed Finland as our newest member, and [Finnish Foreign] Minister [Pekka] Haavisto took up Finland’s seat among NATO allies,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday in Brussels after NATO’s foreign ministers held two days of talks in the Belgian capital.

“Allies also agree that Sweden should become an ally as quickly as possible,” Stoltenberg added.

MG