Europe, America together on track to 'turn the tides on defense production,' says NATO chief
Mark Rutte lauds rapid expansion of European defense industry amid rising Russian and Chinese military threats

LONDON
Europe and America together are on track to "turn the tides on defense production" in response to rising global military threats, NATO Chief Mark Rutte said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Rutte warned of escalating threats from global powers, saying: “Russia and China are expanding their militaries and their capabilities at speed and skill with little transparency.”
He claimed that Russia plans to deploy at least 1,500 tanks, 3,000 armored vehicles, and hundreds of Iskander missiles this year, whereas China already commands the world’s largest navy and has some of its largest defense companies.
"Their defense industries are producing weapons and have military equipment at an incredible rate, not just to show off at big parades in Moscow and Beijing, but to secure spheres of influence, project power and undermine the rules-based international order," he added.
Rutte stressed the importance of financial and industrial commitments, saying: “Germany has already announced that it plans to invest almost €153 billion in defense by 2029.”
Regarding the role of German defense company Rheinmetall, he said: “This factory alone plans to produce 350,000 artillery shells a year.”
However, he warned that money alone is not enough. “Of course, we don't fight with a list. We fight with well-equipped and well-trained troops who need ships, jets, tanks, drones, ammunition, and more, and that's what our defense industries across NATO must produce and deliver faster than ever.”
Rutte also called for increased production of more advanced systems, saying: “Now we need to increase the production of more complex capabilities like tanks and air defense systems and missiles.”
He added: “We need urgently to reduce our dependencies, not least on the critical raw materials that we source from far away.”
Moreover, he linked defense to economic growth, saying: “Increased defense production is an engine of economic growth. Thank you very much. And once again, congratulations on this important opening.”
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