‘We always choose the best and fastest method for acquiring ammunition’ – Estonia defends policy

Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur pushed back on Tuesday against criticism of the country’s joint ammunition procurement strategy, defending multilateral arrangements as the most efficient way to ensure quick and cost-effective delivery.

Pevkur, a member of the Reform Party, rejected claims that Estonia would have received munitions faster through direct, bilateral purchases. “That is a completely uninformed claim. The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (RKIK) employs highly skilled experts who determine the best procurement strategy for each type of ammunition,” he said during an appearance on ETV’s Esimene stuudio.

Estonia has participated in joint procurement efforts under the European Sky Shield Initiative, working with Germany on artillery and air defence munitions. Pevkur also pointed to collaboration with Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Norway on short-range air defence systems, stating that these partnerships have already yielded faster delivery timelines and more favourable pricing.

“With ammunition, we do not want to find ourselves in a situation where our order is delayed due to lack of scale,” Pevkur said, citing a past example in which Estonia’s bird flu vaccine order was postponed while Finland secured its shipment first due to a larger contract volume. “By collaborating with others, we secure larger volumes, benefiting from economies of scale that provide both lower prices and faster deliveries.”

Defence spending to exceed 5% of GDP

On the same day, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that the country’s defence spending would surpass 5% of GDP in the coming years — among the highest in the EU and NATO. Pevkur outlined the financial mechanisms enabling the increase, including a recent European Council decision allowing defence-related borrowing of up to 1.5% of GDP to be excluded from national budget deficit calculations.

“Estonia’s defence budget for next year was projected at around 3.7% of GDP. With this additional 1.5%, we will surpass the 5% mark,” Pevkur said. “There are EU budget rules, but we also have clear defence needs. Our job is to meet the capability requirements of the Estonian Defence Forces, and we will find the necessary resources to do so.”

Estonia’s expanded defence budget is expected to support new procurement rounds for ammunition, air defence systems, and infrastructure upgrades, as well as contribute to NATO’s eastern flank. The Estonian Defence Ministry has previously said it aims to double ammunition stockpiles by 2026 and accelerate the delivery of air defence components through multinational orders.

Calls for political unity

Pevkur also criticised what he described as political posturing over defence policy. “I would like everyone discussing national defence to prioritise Estonia’s security interests above all else. This political spectacle has gone too far. Estonia’s defence requires certainty and stability. Instead of political manoeuvring, we should stand together, as we have in the past,” he said.

While some opposition figures argue that the government has been slow to deploy allocated funds, the Estonian Defence Ministry maintains that procurement decisions are driven by availability, supplier capacity, and interoperability requirements. Estonian officials have repeatedly said that joint procurements not only strengthen supply chains but also promote integration with NATO and EU partners.

As Estonia continues its military buildup in response to regional threats, the government appears committed to a long-term strategy built on shared defence procurement, coalition building, and fiscal flexibility. Pevkur’s remarks suggest that efficiency, not speed alone, will remain the guiding principle for future acquisitions.