The Ukrainian forces consume a quantity of ammunition far superior to the production of the member states of NATO which must imperatively increase their capacities, warned Monday the secretary general of the Alliance Jens Stoltenberg.
"The current rate of ammunition use by Ukraine is much higher than our current rate of production," he said during a press conference on the eve of a meeting of ministers of security. Defense of NATO countries.
“It puts our defense industries under pressure,” Stoltenberg added.
"Yes, we have a problem, yes, it's a challenge," he acknowledged, noting that the Alliance has begun to act, referring to both short-term capability increases? with weekend work for example - but also, in the medium term, investments in production capacities.
The subject will be discussed on Tuesday during a meeting of the support group for Ukraine led by the United States, and later by the defense ministers of the Alliance states, he said.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov will attend both meetings and will inform the allies of the needs of Ukrainian forces, Stoltenberg said.
The supply of combat aircraft will be discussed, he continued. But "it will take time and the short-term priorities are the ammunition and armaments promised with fuel and spare parts", insisted the Secretary General of NATO.
13/02/2023 14:26:06 - Bruxelles (AFP) - © 2023 AFP
