NATO plans to increase ammunition-making capacity and military spending | DW News

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday said alliance defense ministers gathered in Brussels had agreed on a need to expand industrial capacity for producing munitions. The gathering included discussions on Finland and Sweden's membership bids, support for Ukraine and NATO's attempts to stock up on weapons and ammunition.

Stoltenberg said the ministers had talked about ways to boost production and replenish stockpiles of armaments and munitions. "NATO allies are providing unprecedented support to help Ukraine push back against Russia's aggression," he said. "At the same time, this is consuming an enormous quantity of allied ammunition and depleting our stockpiles. Allies agree on the need to work hand-in-hand with the defense industry to ramp up our industrial capacity." The NATO chief said the alliance had already increased production of 155-millimeter artillery rounds. "So yes, things are happening but we need to continue, we need to step up even more," Stoltenberg said. "This is now becoming a grinding war of attrition and a war of attrition is a war of logistics."

"It is almost one year since Russia launched its full-fledged invasion of Ukraine, the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II," said Stoltenberg. "We see no signs that Russia is preparing for peace, on the contrary, Russia is launching new offensives." He welcomed new pledges of support from NATO allies, including heavy hardware and training, citing this as critical. "Ukraine has a window of opportunity to tip the balance and time is of the essence." Ahead of the NATO allies' second day of talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used similar words to call for quicker arms deliveries. He said Russia seeking to maximize its gains on the battlefield before Ukraine could be resupplied. "That is why speed is of the essence," Zelenskyy said. "Speed in everything — adopting decisions, carrying out decisions, shipping supplies, training. Speed saves people's lives."

What was discussed in Brussels?
NATO defense ministers were also debating how to adapt the 2% spending target, and whether it was sufficient given the war raging in Ukraine. Heads of government were expected to make that decision at a NATO summit in Lithuania in July. Germany's Boris Pistorius earlier said NATO countries should consider going above the defense spending threshold of 2% of gross domestic product (GDP). The ministers also discuss membership bids by Finland and Sweden and the protection of critical underwater infrastructure after the alleged acts of sabotage on the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines. "Supporting Ukraine is about helping Ukraine, but it is also about investing into our own security," Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson told DW. "And it's absolutely critical for our security interests that Ukraine regains its territorial integrity, its freedoms and independence."

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[cYYAN]

I cant believe it took them 12 months to ramp up production. Seems insane! I can understand not doing it after 2 months, but waiting an additional 10 months.. Damn.

[jpa]

The production capacity of NATO will ramp up and meet the needs of Ukrainian ammunition and surpass it. Never underestimate the Defense Industry's desire to make money.

[plato]

Treat Sweden and Finland as members regardless of Turkeys actions. Individual countries can forge alliances with them temporarily making official membership a mere formality. Turkey can kick rocks. 😁

[lexas]

The Swedish defence minister was quite impressive, very well spoken and forthright. Sweden is very under the radar but would be a formidable opponent or ally.

[donnyleong]

I think I saw some story that Australia alone could make all the 155 shells that Ukraine needs - at least the regular rounds.

[ethanrichardson]

thank you Putler for making NATO vigilant again

[jvalentine]

Now you start ramping up production . That should have started months ago . These peoples brains are like in a slow motion fog .

[thankyouforyourcompliance]

Hungary and Turkey.. two autocratic regimes who play their small silly games

[Digmen]

Germany said they would increase defence spending a year ago, but so far no new contracts

[jagtvtravelnkitchen]

These comedian's are More professional than Hollywood comedian's 🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂

[delveling]

Damn i was impressed with this guys responses.

[makedredd]

Ammunition is like milk there is an expiration date. 🐮 🥛

Might as well use them all before they become relics.

[xfm]

Just give Ukraine large attack drones and unmanned fighters. They seem to be able to use these very well, and they could provide air support.

[alterego]

does he seem much more nervous than usual?

[thisismetoday]

Can we expect to have leaders with some LONG-TERM VISION?

[jamesremey]

800 a day casualties, pretty heavy fighting

[Aloh-odef]

The price you pay for moving all of your factories to china 😉

[thankyouforyourcompliance]

Nato should stop doing sweet talk with Turkey. Turkey can not block a global topic for their small game of revenge.

[baiajah]

This people love to hear themselves talk.

[TMM-N]

Well well
Military companies making billions