Estonia Flexes New HIMARS Muscle in Live-Fire Drill
Marking a significant milestone, Estonian troops successfully conducted their first live-fire test of the HIMARS rocket system on Friday. The exercise confirms Estonia’s enhanced defense capabilities after months of training.
Precision Strikes at Sea
Each rocket accurately struck its bucket-sized target, located 15 kilometers offshore in the Baltic Sea, according to the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF). The drill showcased the precision of the newly acquired system.
Warrant Officer Margus Oras from the Artillery Battalion clarified the training nature of the exercise, “We didn’t actually do much damage to the sea since these are training weapons and have no warheads,”
also noting the system’s much greater maximum range.
Estonia’s Rocket Forces Take Shape
With the integration of HIMARS, Estonia now boasts its own rocket forces, complementing its existing artillery units. The rockets, launched from the coast of Saaremaa, reached their target in under 60 seconds.
Lt. Col. Rauno Viitmann gave the training exercise high marks, stating, “Today’s firing is historic. It was our own reservists who fired [the shots]and every issue and shaking hand that came up during that first shot — we handled all those situations ourselves.”
Seamless Transition for Troops
Training on the HIMARS systems, which arrived in Estonia this spring, has been ongoing for months. Lt. Col. Rauno Viitmann reported that artillery troops have successfully transitioned into rocket personnel. He downplayed the complexity, explaining, “I don’t think it’s all that complicated. If you’ve got the basics, it’s just a matter of retraining ona new weapons system, that’s all.”
In a recent report, the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that the integration of HIMARS into European defense architectures enhances NATO’s overall deterrence posture (CSIS, 2023).
Today, Estonian troops conducted the first live firing of the HIMARS rocket system in the country’s history. The exercise was carried out by the artillery battalion.
🇪🇪🤝🇺🇸 #WeAreNATO pic.twitter.com/jeBazJj37j
— Estonian Defence Forces (@EstonianDefence) November 10, 2023
According to Warrant Officer Oras, “As for accuracy, I can say we’re capable of hitting a bucket from a very long distance,”
highlighting the precision of the system.
Looking Ahead
The successful live-fire test signifies Estonia’s commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities and its readiness to integrate advanced weapons systems into its military arsenal. The move enhances regional security.