Poland working to increase artillery capability
Poland’s old Russian 122mm 2S1 self-propelled (SP) artillery system is being replaced by Krab and K9 SP artillery systems which both fire standard NATO 155mm ammunition.
Estonia contracts LMT Defense for new rifles
The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) has signed a contract with LMT Defense for the supply of a new customised standard rifle for the Estonian defence forces.
The contract was signed by Priit Soosar, head of the procurement department at the ECDI, and Karl Lewis, founder and CEO of the weapons company, while the signing was also attended by Estonia’s ambassador to the US, Jonatan Vseviov.
The rifle selected is the LMT MARS family of rifles, including the AR 15 type and AR 10 type rifles in addition to 40mm Grenade Launchers.
Estonia will initially be acquiring 16,000 customised automatic firearms as well as accessories, and the first weapons will arrive in Estonia at the beginning of 2020 to be used by the active service scouts battalion.
After that, conscripts and reservists of the 1st and 2nd infantry brigades and members of the voluntary defence league will also receive the weapons.
Within the framework of the procurement, Estonia’s police and border guard and its ministry of justice will also be receiving the new rifles.
‘For our troops, as well as to our reservists, the rifle is the most important weapon, and with the contract signed today the defence forces will receive a new generation of rifles, which are accurate, ergonomic, reliable and modern,' Kusti Salm, director of the ministry’s defence investments planning department, and the soon-to-be director of the ECDI, said.
According to Salm, the US weapons manufacturer has invested heavily in the product development over the past few years and its firearms are among the most modern in the world.
The ECDI falls under the remit of the MoD, and it announced its intention to buy new rifles in June 2017.
Requirements for the firearms were prepared by the Estonian defence forces, and 14 bidders participated in the procurement, with LMT Defense announced as the winner of the competition on 3 December 2018.
Small firearms manufactured by the LMT are used by several US military and paramilitary departments, as well as by the UK and New Zealand, plus the armed forces of several NATO member states.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![Poland working to increase artillery capability]()
-
![EMOC 120mm lightweight mortar system targeted at British Army requirement]()
EMOC 120mm lightweight mortar system targeted at British Army requirement
EMOC can be fitted with an 81mm or a 120mm smooth bore barrel and when in the travelling position is horizontal. For firing, it is deployed over the rear arc until the baseplate contacts the ground.
-
![Leopard MBT: Alpha beast gets a reboot (updated 2025)]()
Leopard MBT: Alpha beast gets a reboot (updated 2025)
Leopard MBTs are German-made main battle tanks that have been in service since the Cold War and have undergone several upgrades to remain competitive in modern warfare. This article traces the history and development of the Leopard 1 and 2, its variants, its operational service and its future prospects.
-
![Vietnam orders self-propelled howitzers from South Korea]()
Vietnam orders self-propelled howitzers from South Korea
Vietnam turns to Hanwha Aerospace as it looks to reduce reliance on Russian military systems.
-
![World Defense Show 2026 to unite global and local innovation]()
World Defense Show 2026 to unite global and local innovation
Saudi Arabia’s showpiece event for the defence industry will return in 2026 as it attempts to foster global defence collaboration, promote opportunity within the Kingdom and demonstrate technological innovation from across the Middle East.
-
![Canadian Army to progress with ACSV programme in 2025]()
Canadian Army to progress with ACSV programme in 2025
The Armoured Combat Support Vehicle will also achieve several milestones in the coming years.
