Kusti Salm wrote on social media that Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur has not taken concrete steps regarding ammunition procurement. He said the minister has focused on media image, but actions are missing.
Salm noted that the 1.6 billion euros for ammunition have not yet been used. Delivery times are long, and every day of delay takes us further from the day when the ammunition actually arrives.
He explained that in ammunition procurement, three terms are important: deliveries, procurement, and order. Deliveries are the ammunition that has reached the warehouses. Procurement is the process of purchasing weapons or equipment. An order is a purchase request already submitted under an existing contract. According to Salm, no orders have been made so far.
Salm also criticized the defense minister's claim that an order for HIMARS ammunition has been placed. In fact, only a letter has been sent asking if a purchase would be possible. No alternatives have been explored yet.
He said that weapons could be delivered faster than five years. There are alternatives in the world where delivery could take two or three years and the price would be cheaper.
According to Salm, Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur has made it publicly known how much money he has for procurement. This makes price negotiations with the supplier easy.
Kusti Salm left his position as Ministry of Defense Chancellor last August. He justified this by stating that Estonia is not following the need to increase ammunition stocks. He is now the CEO of the defense technology company Frankenburg Technologies.