In a new development in the Elbit case, the Ministry of Defense has announced that the ongoing lawyer investigation will not only be delayed but also expanded. The investigation, originally scheduled to be completed by April 1, is now expected to be finished in July, due to the complexity and time-consuming processes of collecting necessary documents. The Elbit case concerns the purchase of advanced artillery systems from the Israeli company Elbit Systems. It emerged that former Defense Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen had provided incorrect information to the Danish Parliament about a critical deadline for the purchase, leading to the dismissal of department chief Morten Bæk. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has expressed deep concern over the case, emphasizing that the decision-making process was not based on a fully informed basis. “It is crucial that we get full clarity on what exactly has happened, so that we can ensure that something similar does not happen again,” he stated in a press release.
Further complications have arisen as it has been revealed that the purchased Atmos and Puls systems will be delayed by about a year and possibly cost up to one billion Danish kroner more than expected. These new problems will also be included in the expanded investigation. All parties in the defense agreement circle have supported the decision to expand and delay the investigation to ensure a thorough review of all aspects of the case. This step underscores the seriousness and complexity of the challenges that the Ministry of Defense faces in this matter.