Estonia's defense minister steps down following defense procurement audit
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur has resigned following public criticism over an audit into defense procurement contracts for ammunition bound for Ukraine, Estonian broadcaster ERR reported on September 2.
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur has resigned amid criticism over an audit of defense procurement contracts for Ukrainian ammunition, according to Estonian broadcaster ERR on September 2. He acknowledged taking political responsibility for defense sector issues but claimed to bear no personal blame for procurement failures.
The National Audit Office's findings on the Estonian Defense Force and the Center for Defense Investments were deemed serious enough to demand political accountability. Pevkur stated that he would step down whenever the Prime Minister selects a successor. The controversy began when it emerged that Estonia had advanced-paid €70 million for Indian-made artillery shells, despite the firm lacking prior shell sales experience.
Center for Defense Investments head Magnus-Valdemar Saar claimed no major decisions were made without Defense Ministry approval. Pevkur admitted he never read the contracts after receiving them from the procurement agency. Several Estonian politicians demanded his resignation following the audit release. Estonian Prime Minister Kirsan Michal convened a government meeting on September 3 to discuss the Auditor General's report.
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