President Vladimir Putin described the Kinzhal as the “most important” of the six modern weapon systems he revealed in a Kremlin speech on March 1, 2018.
Estonia has acquired loitering munitions from Israel as part of an effort to bolster the country’s armed forces following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The three contracts come less than two months after a presidential directive applied Defense Production Act Title III authorities for hypersonic programs.
The government can now launch a feasibility study to “closely review the necessity and economic feasibility" of the $2.03 billion project before final approval.
MBDA has secured a lead role in the EATMI project to develop an air defense weapon capable of intercepting current and emerging post-2030 missile threats.