The Blue Spear 5G SSM, the Estonian Defence Forces’ latest addition, is a cutting-edge missile system engineered for optimal performance under all combat conditions. It boasts day-and-night, all-weather capability, with a striking range of up to 290 kilometres. Its advanced targeting capabilities, leveraging active radar guidance, precision navigation, and a hardened communication network, render it resilient against electronic countermeasures. The anti-ship missiles were supplied to Estonia by Proteus Advanced Systems, a joint venture between two companies, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and ST Engineering Land Systems from Singapore. The Estonian government decided on the missile system’s funding in 2020, and a contract between the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) and Proteus Advanced Systems was signed in 2021. The project also involves the Estonian defence industry company Pro Lift OÜ, which carried out the vehicle modifications suitable for the missile system.
“We are honored to equip the Estonian Defence Forces with Blue Spear type missiles. “With this, the Estonian Navy has acquired a high-tech defence capability, a next-generation land-to-land missile system developed in cooperation between two companies, IAI and ST Engingeering Land Systems,” said Ron Tryfus, CEO of Proteus Advanced Systems.
“The acquisition of anti-ship missiles is of critical importance for raising the level of the Navy’s and, more broadly, Estonia’s defence capabilities. We have reached another significant milestone, which is necessary for ensuring the security of the people of Estonia and for defending the country at sea, on land, and in the air. The presence of Blue Spears in the Navy significantly increases the firing range of the Estonian Defence Forces and strengthens deterrence against a potential aggressor,” said Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur.
“I want to thank our contracting partner, who has respected their international obligations and stood by the promise that the missile system would arrive on time,” said Ramil Lipp, ECDI’s Strategic Category Manager.
“The Blue Spear 5G anti-ship missile system, together with sea mines, forms the cornerstone of Estonian maritime defence for the coming decades. I thank the contracting partners and the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments, who have adhered to deadlines and made significant efforts despite difficult times. I thank the naval personnel who have shown determination, patience, and willpower in commissioning both mentioned weapon systems,” said the commander of the Estonian Navy, Commodore Jüri Saska.
In 2020, Israel’s IAI and Singapore’s ST Engineering started a 50/50 joint venture company called Proteus Advanced Systems to develop, produce and market a derivative of the Gabriel V called the Blue Spear missile system. Gabriel is a family of sea skimming anti-ship missiles manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The initial variant of the missile was developed in the 1960s in response to the needs of the Israeli Navy which first deployed it in 1970. Since then, variants have been exported to navies around the world. The latest variant, the Gabriel V, is in use by the Finnish and Israeli navies as of 2020. The Blue Spear missile has both sea and deep land attack capabilities with enhanced maneuverability for littoral environments. The warhead employs an active radar-homing seeker, accurate INS-based navigation capabilities, beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) capability and a robust system which is immune to GPS disruptions and maximal accuracy target acquisition. The system is equipped with a variety of deception means to achieve its mission and cope with the different battle-field challenges.
