NATO Launches New Defense Initiatives with the U.S.
NATO member countries in Europe are deepening their cooperation with the United States in the field of arms production and launching new multinational coalitions for the joint procurement of critical weapons systems. These new initiatives are intended to strengthen the Alliance’s defense capabilities and provide Ukraine with the necessary resources.
According to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, transatlantic cooperation remains the foundation of the Alliance, and the new projects will focus primarily on air defense and the development of strike capabilities.
“The very nature of NATO lies in transatlantic cooperation, so I am particularly pleased to announce the important initiatives that our allies are launching jointly, primarily in the areas of air defense and strike capabilities. We know that these weapons are critically important on the battlefield and vital to our collective security,” Rutte emphasized.
He stressed that the Alliance needs to increase production of modern weapons both to strengthen its own security and to continue providing military support to Ukraine. According to him, coordinating procurement, pooling demand, developing the defense industry, and increasing investment will enable the allies to more quickly address shortages of certain types of weapons and military equipment.
Separately, the Alliance’s Secretary General announced the launch of new industrial cooperation programs between leading American and European defense companies. These programs involve the production or maintenance in Europe of a number of key U.S. weapons systems, including Abrams tanks, AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, ATACMS surface-to-surface missiles, Barracuda 500M cruise missiles, small-diameter aerial bombs, and Stinger man-portable air defense systems.
Belgium, Canada, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway, and Sweden have already joined the industrial cooperation program. Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and the United Kingdom will join the new coalitions for joint arms procurement.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made this announcement during the Defense Industry Forum in Ankara, according to Ukrinform.
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