Overview
- Hanno Pevkur announced his resignation on Wednesday, saying he would take political responsibility after critical audit findings and parliamentary pressure.
- A consolidated National Audit Office report faulted accounting and procurement practices at the Estonian Defence Forces and the Centre for Defence Investments (RKIK), prompting Riigikogu committee hearings.
- Reporting shows Estonia paid a €70 million advance to Indian companies that had no prior record selling artillery munitions, and the shells were not delivered.
- Pevkur said he had been given the RKIK contracts but had not read them, while former RKIK head Magnus-Valdemar Saar said major procurement decisions required Ministry approval.
- The prime minister had not yet commented, the European Commission is seeking details about possible repayment of funds, and further parliamentary inquiries and reviews of procurement controls are expected.