Estonia orders Israeli mortars
Spear Mk II 120mm mortar system. (Photo: Elbit Systems)
The Estonian National Defense Investment Centre has ordered 120mm mortars from sole bidder Elbit Systems of Israel, under a framework agreement worth up to €15 million ($17.27 million).
The contract was awarded on 30 September but it was formally announced on the EU contracts database on 10 November.
As well as an undisclosed number of 120mm mortar systems, Elbit will also provide lifecycle support for the Estonian Army.
Elbit produces two types of crew-served towable 120mm mortar, either of which can be operated with a light handheld fire-control system.
Shephard reported in late October that the 2022 Estonian defence budget allocates funding to procure 4x4 vehicles. A potential candidate is the Oshkosh Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, which can function as a self-propelled mortar carrier when fitted with the Elbit Spear 120mm crew-served system.
Elbit also produces the 120mm Cardom autonomous self-propelled recoiling mortar with auto-laying capabilities.
More from Land Warfare
-
Introducing the MITR-M1 Half Mask: Tactical respiratory protection for every scenario
Counter terrorism, specialist firearms officers, special forces, explosive breaching, drug interdiction, riot control, indoor/outdoor shooting, environmental disaster response, first response, prisons and corrections: tactical operators across law enforcement, first responders, and the military face a vast array of low-mid level respiratory threats in their day-to-day operations.
-
IDEX 2025: GM presents Next Generation Tactical Vehicle as testing drives changes
Key features of the General Motors (GM) Defense Next Generation Tactical Vehicle (Next Gen) is its silent drive mode of operation, its low acoustic signature and its capability to have exportable power.
-
US Army LTAMDS is close to entering production
Raytheon expects the programme to achieve milestone C in Q2 this year.
-
Northrop Grumman wins $1.4 billion in contracts for air-defence control systems
The amount is for two contracts, one for Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) components for Poland and a second for software development for IBCS.
-
Patria lifts the lid on new FAMOUS armoured fighting vehicle
One of the few new tracked armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) to be shown in Paris at Eurosatory in June 2024 belonged to Patria. The vehicle is being developed as part of a multinational FAMOUS (Future Highly Mobile Augmented Armoured Systems) programme.