"If an automatic rifle misses the target by 30 centimeters from 300 meters away, then for a precision rifle it's an absolute nightmare. It in no way meets the accuracy requirements set in the procurement terms," one of Äripäev's sources said, describing the U.S. manufacturer LMT Defense's precision automatic rifles, purchased by the State Defense Investment Center (RKIK) and delivered to Estonia in 2021.

The main issue was a failing gas system, which is supposed to ensure the weapon reloads after each shot. Under warranty, all 7.62 mm caliber rifles had their gas blocks replaced and additional firing tests were carried out on the barrels to confirm they met the accuracy standards laid out in the technical description of the procurement.

Äripäev asked RKIK about the problems with the precision rifles already in fall 2023, but the agency only now responded to the inquiry, saying that in 2024–2025 all 7.62 mm rifle barrels were sent back to the manufacturer.

According to RKIK, the state did not incur any costs related to the warranty repairs, as all work was covered by the manufacturer.

Read more about the weapons issue in Äripäev.

EDF: Problem occurred in less than 10 percent of weapons

Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) Staff Officer Mario Nõlvak told ERR that initially the problem occurred in less than 10 percent of weapons. "The gas chamber was unable to hold the gas cap in place at the moment of firing, and the gas cap flew off," Nõlvak explained.

Estonia's requirement from the manufacturer was that weapons of both larger and smaller calibers ought to function with the same system in order to simplify maintenance procedures.

"We wanted a version with a short gas piston stroke, where the gunpowder gases are confined to this area, meaning that the gunpowder gases do not enter the bolt frame," said Nõlvak.

Large caliber means high pressure on a small detail, with the result being that the material chosen by the manufacturer could not withstand the pressure it was subjected to.

"It turned out that we couldn't use this gas block in its current form, so the manufacturer developed a solution that changed the composition of the alloy used to make the gas block, as well as the dimensions of the gas block. This was the critical point where the gas plug was escaping. Now it should no longer be able to escape," said Nõlvak.

The replacement of the gas blocks took two years, as not all the precision weapons were sent away at the same time.

Katri Raudsepp, deputy director general of the Estonian Center for Defense Investments, said that the gas blocks were replaced on all weapons.

"They not only replaced the weapons in which these problems occurred, but the entire batch that was delivered to us," Raudsepp said.

"The warranty work is complete, each weapon has been thoroughly inspected, and the problematic components have been replaced. The weapons are back in use with the Defense Forces," added Raudsepp.

Some users have also criticized the accuracy of the weapons, referring to the large caliber, barrel thickness and selected optics. This criticism has not been confirmed by the EDF.

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