Defense Forces Spend €3 Million on Repair of Retired Vessel
The Defense Forces shelled out 3.2 million euros for the repair of the flagship Admiral Pitka in 2012, only for the boat to be retired a year later, although the work had not began by that time.
Peeter Kuimet, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, told Eesti Päevaleht the decision to repair the ship was made in 2009, as part of the previous defense development plan, and the sum was paid in advance.
He said the new development plan, approved in 2013, saw the retirement of Admiral Pitka, and the boat was dismantled in spring this year. He said the deposit was not lost and will be used for repair work on other navy vessels.
The mine ship was build in 1975 in Denmark and was part of the Danish navy until 2000, when Estonia acquired the 75-meter frigate.
The vessel was named after Admiral Johan Pitka, who played an important role in the Estonian War of Independence.