NATO member countries have accelerated their ammunition production, overtaking Russia, which previously outproduced the NATO allies, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced at the NATO forum in Bucharest. He emphasized that the Russian threat will persist even after the war against Ukraine ends, as Russia remains a destabilizing force both in Europe and globally. He noted that Russia is not acting alone; it is collaborating with China, North Korea, Iran, and other nations, expanding its defense cooperation to unprecedented levels.
The Secretary General pointed out that NATO countries already possess the most advanced systems that give them a military edge, but increased production volumes and faster deliveries are essential. “We need to make progress across all areas, from high-quality air defense to affordable interceptor drones”, he concluded.
Notably, the US had the highest military expenditure last year was $949.2B. China ranks second with $449.9B, and Russia is third with $352.1B. India and North Korea also spend 281.7B and $263.1B, respectively. Ukraine, engaged in the fourth year of a grueling full-scale war with Russia, ranks eighth with $103B in military spending.