Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced on the 20th of April that the US has halted ammunition supplies to Estonia at least until the end of hostilities in Iran, ERR News reports.
If the conflict in the Middle East drags on, Estonia may have to reconsider its previous decisions on arms purchases. ERR News reported on the 19th of April that the suspension of ammunition supplies has affected HIMARS systems the most. On the 20th of April, Pevkur discussed the situation with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Pevkur later said that the Estonians already knew that the US would halt arms supplies, and the discussion was more about when supplies could resume. If they are halted for a long time, then they need to think about how to replace the weapons and equipment purchased so far from the US.
Pevkur said the main problems were related to ammunition for HIMARS systems and Javelin anti-tank systems. Anti-tank ammunition in Estonia is currently in sufficient quantities. The minister did not disclose how much money has been invested in weapons purchases or when their delivery was planned, but with regard to the weapons that the Americans were supposed to deliver this year and next year, it is said to be several tens of millions of euros.
It is not known when the supply of weapons will resume, but Pevkur said it is a matter of months, not weeks.
He said that weapons deliveries will be delayed while the war is going on in Iran, but if deliveries do not resume later, the Estonians will have to think about their further actions. Asked what the plan is if the conflict continues, Pevkur said that it depends on the duration of the war, but that alternatives are also being considered. The Estonians are currently looking for options and considering options.
Pevkur and Hegseth have reportedly discussed various options for increasing defense capacity in connection with US-made equipment, but specific decisions will be made when it becomes clear which way the situation in Iran is developing. Possible Estonian support in the Middle East has also been discussed with the US defense minister. Estonian ministers have previously informed that assistance will be considered if Washington officially requests it, but this has not happened yet.
Read also: US seizes Iranian cargo ship; world watches ceasefire with concern
The post US halts ammunition supplies to Estonia until Iran conflict ends appeared first on Baltic News Network.
