TALLINN, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments, under the Ministry of Defence, has announced a framework tender to procure loitering munitions worth up to 400 million euros (424 million U.S. dollars) over the next seven years.
Loitering munitions, also known as loitering air munition (LAM) or kamikaze drones, are a type of weapon designed to hover in the air for an extended period while seeking targets. Unlike traditional missiles with fixed trajectory, these systems have the ability to identify and strike targets upon detection.
The announcement, first reported by Estonian Public Broadcasting on Friday, seeks to establish long-term agreements with manufacturers capable of supplying a range of systems, including simple, short-range drones and long-range aerial platforms designed to deliver explosives over distances of several hundred kilometers.
This procurement marks a significant investment in Estonia's defense capabilities as the country looks to bolster its arsenal with cutting-edge technology. (1 euro = 1.06 U.S. dollar) ■