Last week, the news agency Reuters reported, citing anonymous sources, that some agreed US weapons shipments to European countries are likely to be delayed, as the war with Iran is depleting US stockpiles.
Hanno Pevkur told Postimees on Monday evening that the US decision does not affect only Estonia but applies to ammunition deliveries to all parties. “For now, deliveries have been put on hold while the conflict with Iran continues,” the defense minister said.
According to Pevkur, the decision primarily concerns ammunition. “This includes HIMARS munitions and Javelin anti-tank systems.”
US ammunition depots are not yet empty, but the Americans must be prepared for various scenarios in the Iran war, the minister explained. “They need to secure their rear, not knowing how long the conflict will last.”
When asked what impact the US decision might have on Estonia’s defense capability, Pevkur said that, for now, it has little effect. “In terms of anti-tank capability, we currently have sufficient weapons and ammunition. As for HIMARS, it is possible to cooperate with allies if there is an urgent need.»
The defense minister added that Estonia must monitor how long the Iran conflict lasts and decide whether to use alternative options to procure ammunition. “The world has not run out of ammunition or weapons. We are, of course, working on various options, but at the moment there is no immediate need to revise our decisions,» Pevkur emphasized.
