Estonian government sees no grounds to dismiss defence investment agency head Elmar Vaher

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal and Hanno Pevkur, who has resigned as defence minister, have said they do not consider it necessary to dismiss Elmar Vaher, head of the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment (RKIK), despite problems uncovered in the defence procurement system.

Speaking at a press conference following the government's September 3 session, Pevkur praised Vaher's work as head of RKIK, stressing that he had accomplished a large amount of work in a short time. The minister said that calls to "clear the field" and carry out mass dismissals would not be helpful. He noted that Vaher had built up RKIK's working system and, within just a few months, had resolved 32 of 36 issues flagged by the State Audit Office.

Pevkur said he had taken political responsibility himself, but argued that officials should only be dismissed when they fail to cope with their duties, and that Vaher was handling his tasks well.

Prime Minister Michal backed the defence minister's position, noting that Vaher assesses the current situation openly and critically. According to Michal, the new RKIK head's main task is to bring order, clarify the circumstances behind delivery delays, and minimize financial risks for the state.

Advance payments and delays

Commenting on delays in the delivery of equipment and weapons, including under contracts involving advance payments, Pevkur explained that advance payments of 20–50% are standard practice in the global defence industry. He said the total volume of advance payments under foreign contracts related to support for Ukraine amounts to around 70 million euros. Of that, just under 60 million euros relates to several contracts with one company, and just over 10 million euros to two other companies.

Pevkur acknowledged that deliveries under two contracts are delayed, but stressed that similar problems are currently occurring in many countries, including among Estonian defence companies.