Estonia, Moldova to receive new L3Harris radios

The EDF is procuring and sustaining some of its L3Harris communications equipment. The force currently operates the Falcon III RF-7800M-MP multiband networking manpack radio (pictured). (L3Harris Technologies)

L3Harris Technologies has been contracted by the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) to supply its radios to the Estonian and Moldovan defence forces.

The EUR30 million (USD32.3 million) deal involves the procurement of radios, supplies, and training for the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) as well as maintenance and support for existing equipment along with the acquisition of communication equipment for Moldova, a European Union (EU) tendering notice detailed.

For Moldova, the ECDI is procuring “different types of handheld and vehicular radios along with accessories from the Falcon product family” as part of European Peace Facility (EPF) contracts EPF22 and EPF23, a spokesperson from the ECDI informed Janes on 9 May.

Deliveries to Moldova will begin in the fourth quarter of 2024, they added.

The spokesperson was unable to elaborate on which specific radios are being provided to the Estonian and Moldovan defence forces as well as which systems are being sustained, although, they did note that the EDF currently uses Falcon II, Falcon III, Falcon IV, and PRC-generation radios (including handheld and vehicle stations).

Moldova receives financial support from the EU through the EPF in co-operation with the ECDI. In June 2023 Moldova received its first batch of EU-funded military equipment as part of the EPF. Over a 36-month period, EUR40 million (USD43.2 million) worth of non-lethal military equipment are being provided in the areas pertaining to air surveillance, mobility and transportation, logistics, command-and-control, and cyber defence.