Israel to help Finland, NATO’s newest member, with aerial defense

Helsinki selected Rafael’s David’s Sling long-range air defense system, and signed a separate agreement with Aeronautics to upgrade its Orbiter 2 Mini UAS array.

By Mandi Kogosowski, Israel Defense, 04/09/2023

https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/57815

David's Sling systtem launch. Photo: Rafael website

The Ministry of Defense has authorised the Finnish Defense Forces to procure the David’s Sling system as the next long-range air defense system of Finland. Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems will deliver the system. The value of the procurement without value added tax is approximately 316 million euros.

The David’s Sling system is a long-range air defense system jointly developed by Israel and the United States. The sale of the system to Finland will require a sales release by the United States Government.

The system will extend the operational range of Finland’s ground-based air defense capabilities significantly. The minimum flight altitude requirement of the system was set at 15 000 meters in the request for quotation.

On April 4th of this year, Finland became the newest member of NATO, marking the end of seven decades of military non-alignment, and much to the ire of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has found himself with a new 1300 km border with NATO.

US army soldiers look at anti-missile system David's Sling during the joint Israeli-US military training "Juniper Cobra" at the Hatzor Airforce Base in Israel on March 8, 2018. (Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images)

“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,” Minister of Defense Antti Kaikkonen said.

The procurement consists of a main contract worth approximately 213 million euros excluding value added tax and the immediate exercise of options linked to the main contract worth 103 million euros excluding value added tax. The contract includes further options worth 216 million euros excluding value added tax. The possible exercise of these options requires a separate decision.

The Iron Dome's Brother : David's Sling ( Magic Wand )

The procurement contract will include a separate part between the Israel Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Defense of Finland to ensure the security of supply of the system. The arrangement will ensure the availability of critical system components in all security situations.

This is not the only recent deal between Israel and Finland. Last week, Israeli UAS designer and manufacturer Aeronautics (which is owned by Rafael since 2019), announced that it has signed a mid-life upgrade contract with the Finnish Defense Forces for its existing Orbiter 2 Mini UAS array - a small-sized, lightweight, versatile UAS that can be deployed quickly and efficiently in any environment.

Under the terms of the contract, Aeronautics will provide the FDF with a comprehensive mid-life upgrade package that includes a full suite of sensors, avionics, and data-processing systems to enhance the system’s performance. The contract will also involve a substantial transfer of know-how, increasing the FDF’s level of self-sufficiency, and assuring the customer of Orbiter 2 array maintenance and support capabilities for the next decade.