During an interview with the New York Times, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte expressed deep concern about Russia’s military capabilities, particularly its unparalleled rate of ammunition production. Rutte asserted that Russia is capable of manufacturing three times the amount of ammunition in three months as the entire NATO bloc does in a year, a figure that has raised alarms within the alliance.
This escalation in Russia’s military production, Rutte warned, necessitates a significant increase in Western defense spending. He advocated for a target of 5% of GDP being allocated to defense, with 3.5% going to core military budgets and an additional 1.5% earmarked for cyber defenses and the preparation of civilian infrastructure. Rutte pointed out that such spending, while substantial, is imperative to maintain a credible deterrent against potential Russian aggression.
Rutte emphasized that the Western defense industrial base is currently underprepared to meet Russia’s production standards, which encompass a wide array of military hardware including tanks, artillery, air defense systems, and ammunition. He underscored the importance of bolstering these sectors to ensure that NATO remains capable of deterring Russian advances.
Prior to these comments, Putin had announced that Russia is spending 13.5 trillion rubles ($151 billion) on defense, representing 6.3% of GDP. While this spending has contributed to inflation, Putin defended it by citing the U.S. military expenditures during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, which reached 14% and 10% of GDP respectively. These figures reflect the scale of Russia’s commitment to its military modernization efforts, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The situation is further complicated by ongoing tensions and the war in Ukraine, with both sides continuing to pursue strategic advantages. Rutte’s warnings highlight the need for a coordinated and substantial increase in NATO’s defense capabilities to counter the growing military threat posed by Russia.