Estonia and Lithuania Award €150 Million Contract for Mobile Field Hospitals to AS Maru Metall and MDSC Systems OÜ
21 Oct 2025
Tallinn/Vilnius, October 2025 -The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence (Leedu Kaitseministeerium) and the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment (Riigi Kaitseinvesteeringute Keskus) have jointly awarded a €150 million framework agreement for the procurement of mobile field hospitals to a consortium led by MDSC Systems OÜ and AS Maru Metall, both based in Estonia. This is a major step towards improving regional defence capabilities.The agreement, which was formally signed on September 17, 2025, addresses the purchase, upkeep, and continuing assistance of mobile field hospitals (Role 2) and mobile dressing points (Role 1). These units are made to offer adaptable, deployable medical assistance in humanitarian and national defence missions.Overview of the ContractPõhja-Eesti, Lõuna-Eesti, Vilniaus apskritis, and other selected areas in Estonia and Lithuania will get modular and fully integrated field hospital systems from the providers under the framework agreement. The contract covers replacement parts, technological development, user training, and long-term maintenance services in addition to the production and delivery of the hospital systems. In accordance with Directive 2009/81/EC, a competitive negotiation method designed especially for the defence and security sectors was used to carry out the procurement. Price was given top priority in the evaluation criteria (70%), followed by cost-related aspects (30%) that covered operation, support, and lifetime.Important Players and Their Strategic EffectsIn order to guarantee full system integration between the Role 1 and Role 2 medical modules, the joint buyers, Riigi Kaitseinvesteeringute Keskus (Estonia) and the Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania, decided against splitting the contract into lots. The winning consortium has a wealth of experience in modular construction, defence logistics, and mobile systems engineering. It is directed by MDSC Systems OÜ and collaborates with AS Maru Metall. It is anticipated that their cooperation will improve readiness and interoperability across the Baltic defence forces, demonstrating a larger regional dedication to fast medical response and collective security.The procurement procedure was competitive, as evidenced by the three tenders that were received, which included proposals from both EEA-based and non-EEA providers.An Overview of the Selected Businesses The Tallinn-based MDSC Systems OÜ is an expert in mobile command solutions and modular military infrastructure. The business is renowned for its creative use of field-deployable equipment in defence and disaster situations. One of Estonia's top producers of steel structures and modular buildings, AS Maru Metall is headquartered in Kose Vald and has an expanding portfolio of industrial and defence engineering projects. The two businesses will work together to offer a scalable and integrated solution that supports NATO-aligned defence resilience objectives and Baltic preparedness programmes.Looking AheadThe €150 million framework agreement represents a significant milestone in Baltic defence modernisation. It is anticipated that the mobile field hospital systems will greatly improve medical support capabilities, guaranteeing that military personnel may obtain cutting-edge care in any operational setting. This investment demonstrates both countries' dedication to regional defence cooperation and the creation of high-mobility, self-sufficient infrastructure that can be quickly deployed under the frameworks of the EU and NATO.Delivery and training activities are planned to start in 2026 as the programme progresses, and full operational capability is projected by 2028.Tags#Estonia, #Lithuania, #defence procurement, #contract award, #mobile field hospital, #MDSC Systems, #AS Maru Metall, #Baltic defence, #Riigi Kaitseinvesteeringute Keskus, #Leedu Kaitseministeerium, #government contracts, #awarded tenders, #public procurement, #procurement news, #NATO readiness, #military healthcare systems, #tender results, #publish tenders
Read More
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Secures €50 Million Estonian Defence Contract for K9 Integrated Combat System Maintenance
21 Oct 2025
Tallinn, Estonia - The Estonian Centre for Defence Investment (Riigi Kaitseinvesteeringute Keskus, RKIK) has awarded a €50 million framework contract to Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS for the maintenance, repair, and supply of spare parts for the SPH K9 Integrated Combat Solution (ICS) system used by the Estonian Defence Forces.The agreement, officially announced in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ S 182/2025) under Contract Notice 622407-2025, represents a critical step in ensuring the long-term operational readiness and lifecycle support of Estonia’s self-propelled howitzer systems.Ensuring combat readiness across EstoniaUnder the Customer Logistics Support Agreement (ICS Estonia), signed on 26 August 2025, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace will provide comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for the K9 artillery platform’s Integrated Combat Solution systems. The deal also includes the procurement of spare parts and consumables, ensuring uniform configuration and continued interoperability across all Estonian K9 units.The project scope covers all five Estonian regions - Northern, Southern, Western, Central, and Northeastern Estonia - allowing for flexible support deployment and full nationwide coverage.The contract, which is not financed through EU funds, was awarded through a negotiated procedure without prior call for competition, justified by exclusive technical and intellectual property rights. According to RKIK, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace holds proprietary rights to the ICS system and is therefore the sole provider capable of performing maintenance and configuration updates.Exclusive technical expertise and lifecycle supportKongsberg Defence & Aerospace, headquartered in Kongsberg, Norway, is globally recognized for its advanced defence and aerospace technologies, including weapon control systems, communication solutions, and integrated command systems. As the original manufacturer of the ICS for K9 platforms, Kongsberg provides essential technical updates, lifecycle management, and system configuration integrity - ensuring consistent documentation and platform compatibility.RKIK emphasized the technical necessity behind the direct award, noting that all K9 self-propelled howitzers in Estonia must remain in a uniform configuration to enable efficient lifecycle management and operational support. “Maintaining a single system architecture ensures interoperability, technical integrity, and continued support for software and hardware upgrades,” the authority stated in the award rationale.Strategic importance for Estonian defence capabilitiesThe K9 Thunder artillery system, originally developed by South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace and integrated with Kongsberg’s digital ICS, forms a vital part of Estonia’s modernized artillery capability. The maintenance agreement reinforces Estonia’s long-term defence readiness and its commitment to maintaining high levels of equipment availability within NATO operational standards.By securing dedicated lifecycle support from the system’s original developer, Estonia strengthens its defence infrastructure amid a shifting European security landscape. The agreement also highlights growing Nordic-Baltic defence cooperation and technology transfer in the region.The framework agreement, valued at up to €50 million, sets a foundation for sustained cooperation between Estonia and Kongsberg over multiple years, ensuring continuity in system support and technical evolution aligned with future defence modernization plans.Tags: Estonia, defence, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, military, Riigi Kaitseinvesteeringute Keskus, Estonian Defence Forces, SPH K9, Integrated Combat Solution, defence procurement, contract award, military maintenance, weapon systems repair, weapon station, NATO, Baltic defence, Estonia–Norway cooperation, MRO services, government contracts, procurement news, awarded tenders, defence industry, lifecycle support, artillery systems
Read More