Stoltenberg Emphasises Urgent Need for Enhanced Military Support
In a stark warning, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has highlighted that Ukraine is depleting its ammunition supplies at a rate that far exceeds the capacity of its allies to replenish them, particularly as Russia escalates its military campaign.
“The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is consuming vast quantities of munitions, which is exhausting allied stockpiles,” Stoltenberg remarked. He specified that “Ukraine’s current ammunition usage is significantly higher than what we can produce,” placing immense pressure on Western defence industries.
Recent estimates indicate that Ukraine is firing between 6,000 and 7,000 artillery shells daily, which constitutes roughly one-third of the amount that Russia is deploying nearly a year into the conflict.
As NATO defence ministers prepare for a two-day meeting, Stoltenberg noted a dramatic increase in lead times for large-calibre ammunition, extending from 12 to 28 months. He warned that orders placed today may not be fulfilled for over two years.
Stoltenberg pointed out that President Vladimir Putin has already commenced Russia’s anticipated spring military offensive in Ukraine, reinforcing the necessity for continued support to help Ukraine secure a “just and sustainable peace.”
“We are clearly in a logistical race,” he stated. “Essential supplies such as ammunition, fuel, and spare parts must reach Ukraine before Russia can gain the upper hand on the battlefield. Timeliness is crucial for saving lives,” he conveyed during a press conference in Brussels.
On Tuesday, NATO members and Ukraine’s allies will convene at NATO headquarters, overseen by U.S. officials, to strategise on bolstering the supply of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. While several NATO countries are providing arms directly, NATO as an entity focuses primarily on non-lethal assistance.
Later on Tuesday, U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin will engage in talks with Ukraine’s defence minister, and on Wednesday, discussions will shift to NATO’s defensive posture along its eastern borders adjacent to Russia, as well as potential increases in military expenditure.
