The Estonian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has announced the arrival of the new Blue Spear anti-ship missile system manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
“The acquisition of anti-ship missiles is of critical importance for raising the level of defense capabilities of the Navy and Estonia in general. We have reached another important milestone, which is necessary to ensure the feeling of security of the people of Estonia and to protect the country at sea, on land and in the air”, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said.
“The presence of Blue Spears in the Navy significantly extends the Estonian defense forces’ strike range and strengthens deterrence against potential aggressor.”
The 5th generation Blue Spear missile is a result of collaboration between the IAI and ST Engineering from Singapore. With a maximum range of 290 km, this missile shares a lineage with IAI’s Gabriel missile family system, which has undergone extensive development over the years.
The Blue Spear system allows for launch from multiple land-based platforms, reaching high sub-sonic speeds. Its warhead utilizes an active radar-homing seeker, precise INS-based navigation capabilities, and a resilient system that remains unaffected by GPS disruptions, ensuring optimal accuracy in target acquisition. Additionally, the system is equipped with various deceptive measures to successfully accomplish its mission.
The Estonian government approved the funding for the missile system in 2020. In October 2021, the Estonian Center for Defence Investment signed a contract with Proteus Advanced Systems, a joint venture company of IAI and ST Engineering, to equip the Estonian Defence Forces with Blue Spear.
