REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF DEFENCE EQUIPMENT WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR

Currently, the Estonian Defence Forces mostly utilise their own resources to maintain and repair their defence equipment. The services either organise themselves or outsource the maintenance and repair of their service-specific equipment (e.g. vessels, radars). The Logistics Centre of the Estonian Defence Forces coordinates the servicing of more widely used equipment. So far, the aim has been to enhance the capability of the defence forces to carry out their own repair works. However, the existing infrastructure and equipment are not sufficient to cater for the defence forces, whereas it would be difficult in the longer perspective to recruit and retain qualified personnel in adequate numbers. Other states have encountered similar problems, which they have solved via closer cooperation with the private sector.

The aim of the research project is to analyse various forms of cooperation between some NATO/EU member states and the private sector in the organisation of repair and maintenance works and to highlight positive and negative experiences of cooperation.

Martin Hurt