Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur has awarded the Ministry of Defence Class II Cross of Merit to Magnus-Valdemar Saar for his long-standing and effective contribution to the development of Estonia’s national defence and his leadership of the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI).
“Magnus’s determined leadership at ECDI has helped ensure that the development of Estonia’s defence capabilities has been on target, transparent, and speedy. Under his direction, the ECDI has become one of the top armaments procurement agencies in Europe, with expertise that is valued well beyond our borders. The Cross of Merit is a recognition of his dedication and work, whose impact is hard to overstate,” said Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur.
Magnus-Valdemar Saar has been a key driver behind the systematic and transparent organisation of defence procurements in Estonia. Under his leadership, planning and execution of defence-related procurement has improved significantly, and cooperation with allies and the private sector has been strengthened. With over two decades of experience in the defence sector, Saar began leading the ECDI in 2021 and has played a pivotal role in the implementation of major procurements — from the establishment of training grounds to the largest weaponry and ammunition procurements in the history of the Estonian Defence Forces.
The Ministry of Defence Cross of Merit was established in 1999 and is awarded to individuals who have rendered outstanding services to the development of Estonia’s national defence.
Photo: Magnus-Valdemar Saar_RKIK_KermoPastarus-4 | Kaitseministeerium | Flickr
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