As Estonia seeks to expand its large-calibre ammunition production capabilities, negotiations continue with a potential investor to set up manufacturing in the Põhja-Kiviõli defence industry park. The Estonian Centre for Defence Investment (ECDI) will build the park’s basic infrastructure, while the selected companies will construct the necessary production buildings.
According to the results of the selection process, the state will grant the companies the right to use the site for up to 70 years. The evaluation committee assessed the submitted business plans and investment feasibility, selecting four firms with which the ECDI will begin the contract signing process.
Based on the submitted business plans, Nitrotol OÜ will produce mines and charges, Thor Industries Ltd will manufacture plastic explosives, Frankenburg Technologies OÜ will build a factory complex for short-range air defence missile production, and Infinitum Strike OÜ will produce ammunition components.
Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur said, “Ettevõtete huvi pargi vastu on olnud märkimisväärne ja täna saame esimesed pargis tegutsema hakkavad ettevõtted välja kuulutada. Tänan kõiki nelja tulevast Ermistu kaitsetööstuspargi ettevõtet ladusa koostöö eest ja loodan, et kõik investorid saaksid ka ehitustega võimalikult kiiresti alustada.”
Deputy Director General of the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment Asko Kivinuk stated, “Pärnumaa kaitsetööstuspark on oluline samm Eesti kaitsetööstusvõimekuse kasvatamisel. Samal ajal soovime, et Eestis oleks ka suurekaliibrilise lahingumoona tehas, mistõttu jätkame läbirääkimisi tootja tulekuks Põhja-Kiviõli kaitsetööstusparki.”
In addition to the four selected companies, the Ermistu industrial park is expected to accommodate up to two more manufacturers in the future.
