US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told Estonia's defense minister on Monday that delivery of munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems would be postponed due to needs in the war with Iran. The contract for the weapons dates to 2022, with launchers already delivered last year. Estonia's minister voiced concerns about the delay's effect on deterrence.
Secretary Hegseth made the call to Estonia’s Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, as reported by Stars and Stripes. The delay affects six units of munitions—rockets and missiles—for the Army’s HIMARS, each capable of firing up to 185 miles. The US Embassy in Tallinn had described the purchase as one of the most significant upgrades in Estonian military history after initial deliveries last year. Estonia allocates 5.4 percent of its GDP to defense as a NATO frontline state.
