Icelandic government purchases 175 helmets for police use ahead of European Council summit

The Icelandic government has purchased 175 helmets for police use during the European Council summit held last year, costing approximately 47 million Icelandic króna. The Minister of Justice clarified that the decision to procure helmets from a British company with limited operations was primarily due to delivery time, as the state would have had to wait 12-18 months for alternatives. Ensuring that the helmets arrived before the summit was crucial.

These helmets, manufactured by a German brand, Busch, were validated through comparisons with neighboring countries to ensure quality and suitability.

An inquiry was raised in parliament regarding whether the purchase of 700 helmets from the same company adhered to standards of good business practice. A member of parliament also questioned whether other acquisitions for the summit complied with procedural regulations and if a review of those regulations might be necessary. The Minister confirmed that 175 helmets were indeed purchased—55 for the police’s special forces and 120 for general police use.

The Justice Minister noted that there have been no indications of the purchases violating laws or regulations. However, she stated that any forthcoming allegations would be taken seriously and addressed appropriately. The summit itself was a significant event for Icelandic law enforcement, hosting around 40 national leaders, including prominent figures like Emmanuel Macron and Rishi Sunak.