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Finland will buy the advanced Davids Sling missile defense system from Israel after the Nordic country officially joins NATO. Photo/Ministry of Defense of Israel
HELSINKI – Finland has made history after officially becoming the 31st member of NATO, a step that made Russia angry. Now, the country is making another move by purchasing an advanced David’s Sling missile defense system from Israel.
The €316 million ($345 million) defense weapon is expected to raise the stakes in the Russian environment dramatically.
“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 capabilities in a new security environment,” said Finnish Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen, as quoted by Newsweek, Friday (7/4/2023).
Before Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine launched in February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin vehemently opposed NATO’s eastward expansion.
Although Putin believed he was pushing NATO back by invading Ukraine and preventing it from joining a hostile alliance, Russia’s other neighbors decided to make an unexpected turn.
There has been a significant increase in Russian military activity along the Finnish border, which explains Helsinki’s decision to purchase the state-of-the-art David’s Sling air defense system.
Currently, the defense weapon is only operated by the Israel Defense Forces, and acquisition by Finland must be approved by the United States in advance because of Washington’s stake in the development of the missile defense system.
Interestingly, Ukraine, which was hit by Russian missiles and drones, also made the David’s Sling a top request to Israel. However, Israel was reluctant to give the system to Kiev because of Tel Aviv’s working relationship with Moscow.
For its part, Russia has pledged to strengthen its military potential along its border with Finland.
