Finland said Tuesday it would buy Israel’s David Sling missile defense system in an initial deal worth 316 million euros ($344 million). Announcement On the same day it joined the NATO military alliance.
“David’s Sling system will significantly increase the operational range of Finland’s ground-based air defense capabilities,” the statement said.
“This acquisition will create a new capability for the Finnish Defense Forces to intercept targets at high altitude. At the same time we are continuing the ambitious and long-term development of Finland’s defense capability in a new security environment,” Defense Minister Antti Kaikonen he said.
The David sling, manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, is capable of intercepting rockets and missiles at a range of 40–300 kilometers (25–185 mi). The minimum flight altitude requirement for Finland’s system was set at 15,000 metres, the statement said. (9.3 mi.)
David’s Sling, also known as the Magic Wand operational in Israel since 2017 and makes up the middle tier of Israel’s multi-layer missile defense capabilities, including the short-range Iron Dome and a top tier of the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems, intended to contain long-range ballistic missiles To do. ,
David’s Sling has been a key request from Ukraine to Israel, which has been battered by Russian missiles and drones, although Israel has so far balked at supplying the system.
A photo taken on April 2, 2017, shows Israel’s David’s Sling missile defense system during a ceremony announcing its operational capability at the Hatzer air force base. / AFP PHOTO / Jack Guez
The Finnish announcement came on the same day that Helsinki joined the NATO military alliance, dealing a major blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Nordic country’s membership doubles Russia’s border with the world’s largest security alliance. Finland adopted neutrality after its defeat by the Soviet Union in World War II, but its leaders have indicated they want to join NATO after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine sent shockwaves among its neighbors.
“The era of non-alignment in our history has ended–a new era has begun,” President Sauli Niinisto said before raising his country’s blue-and-white flag outside the NATO headquarters.
Finland noted that since David’s Sling was developed in collaboration with the US, sales would require a sales release by the US government.
It also said that the procurement contract would include a separate part between Israel’s Defense Ministry and Finland’s Ministry of Defense to ensure the security of supply of the systems.
In a photo released by the Defense Ministry on December 21, 2015, a David Sling interceptor missile hits its target during a test of the system. (courtesy)
“The arrangement will ensure the availability of critical system components in all safety conditions,” the statement said.
America was unlikely to stand in the way of the purchase.
Praising Finland’s membership, US President Joe Biden said it came on the 74th anniversary of the signing of NATO’s founding treaty on April 4, 1949.
“When Putin launched a brutal war of aggression against the people of Ukraine, he thought he could divide Europe and NATO. He was wrong,” Biden said in a statement. “Today, more than ever, we are united. And together — strengthened by our newest ally, Finland — we will continue to uphold transatlantic security, defend every inch of NATO territory, and meet any and all challenges we face.”
The move is a strategic and political blow to Putin, who has long complained about NATO’s expansion toward Russia and partly used it as justification for the invasion.
Israel opposed providing arms to Ukraine in the first year of Russia’s invasion. A major reason for Israel’s hesitation appears to be its strategic need to maintain freedom of operations in Syria, where Russian forces control large swathes of airspace.
However, it was recently reported that Israel has approved the sale of an electronic warfare system with a range of approximately 40 kilometers (25 mi) that could be used to defend against drone attacks.
