Secretary-General Stoltenberg “Achievements of NATO Joint Procurement System”
“The war in Ukraine is a fight over ammunition… Ammunition replenishment is important.”
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) fills the arsenals of its member countries. NATO receives approximately 220,000 rounds of 155mm artillery shells and delivers them to member countries.
NATO and the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) announced on the 23rd (local time) that they had signed an additional weapons supply contract worth $1.2 billion (approximately KRW 1.6081 trillion), focusing on the supply of 220,000 rounds of 155mm artillery shells.
After the leaders of NATO member countries agreed on NATO’s defense production action plan in July last year, NSPA agreed to an ammunition contract worth $10 billion (about 13.401 trillion won).
Recently, NSPA signed a contract worth $5.5 billion (approximately KRW 7.3706 trillion) for 1,000 Patriot missiles and a contract worth $4 billion (approximately KRW 5.354 trillion) for 155mm artillery shells, anti-tank guided missiles, and tank ammunition.
Last November, it was decided to sign a contract this year for six E-7A Wedgetails, an airborne early warning and control aircraft.
“This proves that NATO’s joint procurement system, which has proven to be reliable, is paying off,” said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. “It is important to replenish our inventory,” he emphasized.
Secretary-General Stoltenberg said at a press conference that day, “All allies have accelerated production. “The flow of ammunition to our allies is increasing,” he said, adding, “We use the increased production to replenish our own stocks. “In part, it is used to ensure that (artillery) shipments to Ukraine continue to be possible,” he explained.
In addition, this contract was evaluated as a measure to increase the self-defense capabilities of NATO member countries and continue support for Ukraine.
Source: Donga
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