Finland signs agreement with Israel to purchase David’s Sling system

12 November, 2023 David's Sling SAM launcher. Photo from open sources Finland purchased David's Sling missile defense systems from Israel.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced this. The contract, described as historic, is valued at around EUR317 million. Within the agreement, Israel would hand over Israeli-American missiles, launchers, and Israeli-made radars to Finland.

The purchase consists of a main contract for approximately EUR213 million and the immediate exercise of options related to the main contract for EUR103 million. No other details of the deal and the number of systems were disclosed by either party.

Signing of the agreement to purchase the David's Sling system. Photo credits: Israeli Ministry of Defense

In August, Militarnyi reported on the United States approving Finland's purchase of this missile defense system.

Finland will receive its own version of the system, which will be jointly developed by Israeli, American, and Finnish industrial enterprises led by Rafael Advanced Systems and Raytheon Technologies Cooperation. The system will further be integrated into the command and control systems of the Finnish Defense Forces. Finland placed an order for David's Sling in April 2023.

According to the Finnish Ministry of Defense plans, the system would perform the role of a long-range air defense system. The Finnish Ministry of Defense notes that the new system will significantly expand the range of Finland's ground-based air defense facilities.

Test launch of the David's Sling missile system. Photo from open sources

Militarnyi recently reported that Azerbaijan purchased additional Barak MX air defense systems from Israel, with the agreement's value estimated at £1.2 billion.

A few months ago, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) successfully demonstrated Barak MX systems in Azerbaijan.