Inquiry Regarding the Procurement of Ammunition (no. 714)

Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session

Date: 2025-03-10 18:35

Participating Politicians:

Total Speeches: 14

Membership: 15

Agenda Duration: 22m

AI Summaries: 14/14 Speeches (100.0%)

Analysis: Structured Analysis

Politicians Speaking Time

Politicians

Analysis

Summary

Under agenda item three, the inquiry regarding the procurement of ammunition for a sum of 1.6 billion euros, presented to the Riigikogu on January 27, 2025, was discussed. The inquirers are Priit Sibul, Riina Solman, Helir-Valdor Seeder, Mart Maastik, and Aivar Kokk, and its purpose was to clarify why and when accelerated and supplementary ammunition procurement steps are planned, and whether previously stated positions can be altered to make a larger portion of the equipment available earlier. The discussion highlighted contradictions between the coalition and the opposition, and the question of whether the public has been misled, and what additional steps the government is considering regarding the seven-year plan, and whether faster delivery deadlines can be achieved by 2027 or even earlier than 2027.

Decisions Made 1
Collective Decision

No decisions were made.

Most Active Speaker
Priit Sibul
Priit Sibul

Isamaa fraktsioon

The most active speaker was Priit Sibul (Isamaa faction, right-wing). His participation and questions focused on the substance of the interpellation, and they suggest that he represents an active opposition or oversight role, but at the same time, he is attentive to state defense topics and participates constructively in all discussions.

Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
18:35:23
AI Summary

The Riigikogu has reached today's third item on the agenda, where a parliamentary inquiry into the procurement of ammunition (No. 714) is being submitted, and it is presented on behalf of the inquirers by Priit Sibula.

18:35:48
AI Summary

Priit Sibul raised in Parliament a question about the faster procurement of missiles worth 1.6 billion euros, criticizing the coalition's previous positions and asking about the motives behind misleading the public, and whether there are plans to submit a new proposal to procure missiles by 2027.

Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
18:38:18
AI Summary

The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the presenter and invited Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur to answer questions from the Riigikogu.

Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
18:38:25
AI Summary

Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur stated that Estonia will immediately begin procurements worth 1.6 billion, but deliveries could extend beyond 2027, and for that parliamentary approval is required and, if necessary, a change to the budget, and he stressed that he has not misled anyone.

Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
18:41:18
AI Summary

The deputy speaker, Toomas Kivimägi, gives Priit Sibul the opportunity to ask an additional question.

18:41:19
AI Summary

Priit Sibul asks whether procurements related to 1.6 billion euros have been announced and where the money for them will come from, and how the discussion about the 5% topic and the expectations for the summer NATO summit will affect preparations for acquiring the necessary ammunition and weapons, regardless of where attention is directed during the summit.

Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
18:42:18
AI Summary

Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said that Estonia needs more than 1.6 billion euros to increase capabilities (primarily for air defense); under framework agreements, inquiries to manufacturers about increasing volumes have been sent, and it is hoped that concrete contracts will soon be signed, and there is no urgent deadline for the 5% matter — confirmations of NATO force-capability objectives are almost ready and will be presented to the government and the Estonian Parliament together with plans for funding and financial instruments.

Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
18:45:05
AI Summary

The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks, ends the questions, opens negotiations and invites Priit Sibul to come.

18:45:17
AI Summary

Priit Sibul stressed that in Estonia there is not as serious a debate about the Defence Forces and related topics as there is about the energy sector, and people must understand why and how defense decisions are made, while at the same time emphasising the need to resolve more quickly the issues of weapon handling, the defence industry, and the preparedness of rural areas, and to act on their own, rather than wait for solutions linked to the NATO summer summit.

Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
18:50:25
AI Summary

The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience and asks Henn Põlluaas to take the floor.

Henn Põlluaas
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmed
18:50:37
AI Summary

Henn Põlluaas stressed that Estonia lacks a domestic weapons and munitions industry, and the confirmation of a site for an ammunition factory is dragging on, which makes the country vulnerable and increases the risk that Russia could attack NATO if the Ukraine war ends in a way favorable to Russia, therefore Estonia is a frontline state that needs rapid border protection and ammunition supply.

Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
18:55:13
AI Summary

Toomas Kivimägi asks for three more minutes.

Henn Põlluaas
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmed
18:55:15
AI Summary

Henn Põlluaas emphasizes that more should be invested in building up the defensive capabilities of border states, and to keep this issue constantly on the agenda at both the European Union and NATO levels, inviting all politicians and partners to ensure our collective defense, because it is a matter of life and death.

Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
18:58:11
AI Summary

We have finished processing this agenda item, and I am closing the negotiations.