Europe and America are together on a path to reverse the tide of arms production in response to growing global military threats, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said.
Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Rutte warned of escalating threats from world powers, saying Russia and China were expanding their armies and capabilities with great speed and skill, with little transparency.
He claimed that Russia planned to deploy at least 1,500 tanks, 3,000 armored vehicles and hundreds of Iskander missiles this year, while China already has the world’s largest navy and some of the largest defense companies.
“Their defense industries are producing weapons and military equipment at an incredible speed, not just to show them off in grand parades in Moscow and Beijing, but to secure spheres of influence, project power and undermine the rules-based international order,” he added.
Rutte stressed the importance of financial and industrial commitments, saying that Germany had already announced plans to invest almost 153 billion euros in defense by 2029.
Speaking about the role of German defense company Rheinmetall, he said: “This factory alone plans to produce 350,000 artillery shells a year.”
However, he warned that money alone is not enough.
“Of course, we are not at war with a list. We are at war with well-equipped and trained troops who need ships, planes, tanks, drones, ammunition and much more, and that is what our defense industries across NATO must produce and deliver faster than ever,” the NATO chief said.
Rutte also called for an increase in production of more advanced systems.
“We now need to increase the production of more complex capabilities such as tanks, air defense systems and missiles,” Rutte said, adding:
“We must urgently reduce our dependencies, especially when it comes to key raw materials that we procure from afar.”
He also linked defense to economic growth.
“Increased weapons production is a driver of economic growth. Thank you very much. And once again, congratulations on this important opening,” Rutte said.
