Current:Home > MarketsLatvia and Estonia sign deal to buy German-made missile defense system-LoTradeCoin
Latvia and Estonia sign deal to buy German-made missile defense system
View Date:2024-12-23 21:18:22
VIENNA (AP) — Estonia and Latvia signed an agreement Monday with Germany to purchase a medium-range air defense missile system that opens the way for the two Baltic nations to join a common air defense system proposed by Germany last year.
The agreement was signed Monday at a meeting of defense ministers in the German city of Roetenbach an der Pegnitz, and involved what officials said was the overall sale of 1 billion euros ($1.07 billion) worth of IRIS-T defense systems produced by German company Diehl Defense.
Estonia and Latvia previously have signed letters of intent to joint the Sky Shield Initiative, a common air defense system proposed by Germany in 2022 in the wake of the Russian war against Ukraine. The project currently includes 16 NATO member states, NATO invitee Sweden, as well as the neutral states Austria and Switzerland.
Monday’s deal means that Germany replaces the United States as Estonia’s biggest defense partner, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said.
“This is by far the biggest defense investment in Estonian history,” Pevkur said. He added that the Russian war against Ukraine “is showing us how important it is to be able to protect ourselves, our nations, our alliances.”
Latvian Defense Minister Inara Murniece said that for her country it was the “largest military purchase” since gaining independence. “Latvia is currently allocating 2.3% of GDP to defense spending. And we have plans to increase our defense budget to 3% of GDP I hope the next year,” she said.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius welcomed the joint purchase saying that will “without any doubt strengthen European air defense.” He also said that Germany itself already has concluded a contract to procure six IRIS-T systems from Diehl.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Research reveals China has built prototype nuclear reactor to power aircraft carrier
- Keira Knightley and Husband James Righton Make Rare Appearance at Wimbledon 2024
- George Clooney urges Biden to drop out of the 2024 race: The dam has broken
- Hakeem Jeffries to bring Democrats' concerns to Biden about his campaign
- Are Dancing with the Stars’ Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber Living Together? She Says…
- Brittany Mahomes Gives Patrick Mahomes a Hair Makeover
- Bill would ban sale of reproductive and gender affirming care locations gathered from cellphones
- Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' trial is underway: Live updates of the biggest revelations
- Chipotle unveils cilantro-scented soap, 'water' cup candles in humorous holiday gift line
- Lena Dunham won't star in her new Netflix show to avoid having her 'body dissected'
Ranking
- 'I was in total shock': Woman wins $1 million after forgetting lotto ticket in her purse
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice in courtroom for brother’s federal sentencing for theft, bribery
- John Mulaney and Olivia Munn marry in a ceremony officiated by Sam Waterston
- Team USA defeats medal contender Canada in first Olympic basketball tune-up
- Mariah Carey's Amazon Holiday Merch Is All I Want for Christmas—and It's Selling Out Fast!
- Gunman fires into crowd in Boston neighborhood, injuring 5 people
- How many points did Bronny James score tonight? Lakers Summer League box score
- Average rate on a 30-year mortgage falls slightly, easing borrowing costs for home shoppers
Recommendation
-
Federal judge orders Oakland airport to stop using ‘San Francisco’ in name amid lawsuit
-
All-Star rookie Shota Imanaga's historic first half helps Chicago Cubs battle the blahs
-
2 teen girls are killed when their UTV collides with a grain hauler in south-central Illinois
-
Bed rotting every night? You're actually in a 'functional freeze.'
-
American arrested in death of another American at luxury hotel in Ireland
-
Darwin Núñez, Uruguay teammates enter stands as fans fight after Copa America loss to Colombia
-
Former ALF Child Star Benji Gregory Dead at 46
-
Darwin Núñez, Uruguay teammates enter stands as fans fight after Copa America loss to Colombia