NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned that the Alliance must urgently accelerate production of air defence systems and ammunition, as Defence Ministers prepare to meet in Brussels amid growing security pressures from Russia.
Speaking at NATO Headquarters ahead of the ministerial meeting, Rutte said increased defence spending must now translate into tangible capabilities, arguing that NATO’s ability to deter and defend depends on industry being able to deliver at speed and scale.
“As Allies invest more, it is crucial that the capabilities we need are available to buy,” he said.
Rutte highlighted air defence as a priority area, alongside ammunition stockpiles and resilient supply chains, stating that NATO must increase output across the Alliance. “We need to produce more. This means more air defence, more ammunition, and stronger supply chains across the Alliance,” he said.
He added that NATO and national governments must move faster in adopting new technologies and accelerating procurement processes, warning that delays in production would undermine the value of increased spending commitments. “We need to move faster, adopting new technologies, accelerating procurement, and ensuring our defence industry can deliver at speed and can deliver at scale,” Rutte said.
The Secretary General said the effort must be transatlantic, arguing that industrial expansion is required on both sides of the Atlantic if NATO is to meet the capability demands set out at last year’s summit in The Hague. Rutte’s remarks come as NATO ministers gather to discuss defence investment plans, industrial mobilisation, and continued support for Ukraine.
Literally nobody cares what this man has to say.
And thats the problem with Europe. Too many chiefs, not enough Indians.
While Afghan sucked up a lot of money and thought processes, the general malaise and ignorance by most European governments (ours still continue) over the last 20 years regarding defence is now coming home to roost! Suddenly there are naughty people and naughty Governments around the world who want to cause chaos, harm and trouble! And we are now finally being told NATO should do stuff which many on here are elsewhere have been lamenting about for many many years. Alas, our dear leader and his acolytes still don’t get it and continue to talk tough but couldn’t really give a toss!