Estonia's Herem outlines data-driven defense plans to coalition partner Eesti 200

Martin Herem, former commander of the Estonian Defense Forces and the Reform Party's nominee for defense minister, met on Monday with the Riigikogu faction of coalition partner Eesti 200 to present his plans for the post.

Faction leader Toomas Uibo said afterward that lawmakers wanted to understand Herem's strategy and goals for the coming six months and were satisfied with his answers. Uibo said Herem's experience is crucial for the defense sector, where some processes have been moving too slowly. According to Uibo, Herem framed the core issue not as how many weapons or shells Estonia has, but how the whole system is organized. Uibo added that Herem relies heavily on data and draws effectively on Ukraine's experience, something Estonia has not yet fully absorbed.

The meeting also touched on communicating the war threat to the public in a measured way — taking intelligence assessments seriously without resorting to alarmism, while keeping the public informed of real threats.

Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced last week he would formally offer Herem the post, and Herem accepted on condition that defense spending remain at 5 percent of GDP. Defense experts have raised concerns over Herem's past ties to defense industry firms including Milrem Robotics and Frankenburg Technologies, citing potential conflicts of interest; Herem confirmed his employment relationships with those firms have ended.

The vacancy opened after Hanno Pevkur resigned on September 2 amid a procurement scandal. Herem has pledged a full audit of Estonia's defense readiness and made the removal of permanent secretary Kaimo Kuusk a condition for taking the job. If President Alar Karis approves the nomination, Herem could be sworn in on Wednesday. As initial steps, he said he would review shortcomings in warehouse management and assess progress on Baltic Sea, air defense and Baltic Defense Line projects.