Ukraine uses more ammunition than NATO produces

< /p> UPDATE DAY

Ukrainian forces consume a quantity of ammunition far exceeding the production of NATO member states 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 declared during a press conference on the eve of a meeting of ministers of Defense of NATO countries.

“It puts our defense industries under pressure,” Mr. Stoltenberg added.

“Yes, we have a problem, yes, it's a challenge”, he acknowledged, while emphasizing that the Alliance had begun to act, referring both to the increase in short-term capacities – 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 the Ukraine led by the United States and later by Defense Ministers of the Alliance states, he said.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov will participate in 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 ammunition and armaments promised with fuel and spare parts”, insisted the NATO Secretary General.