NATO signs artillery ammunition contracts worth $1.2 billion
Against the backdrop of Russia’s war in Ukraine
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and General Manager of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) Stacy Cummings signed contracts to purchase around 220,000 155-millimetre artillery shells worth $1.2 billion.
In his address at the signing ceremony at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on January 23, 2024, Stoltenberg said: “The NSPA enables NATO allies to acquire, operate, and maintain critical capabilities for our security.
“We have just concluded contracts worth $1.2 billion to buy hundreds of thousands of rounds of 155-millimetre artillery ammunition. This demonstrates that NATO’s tried and tested structure for joint procurement is delivering.
“Russia’s war in Ukraine has become a battle for ammunition, so it is important that [NATO] allies refill their stocks as we continue to support Ukraine.
“The NATO Support and Procurement Agency enables [NATO] allies to pull together and pool their resources. We need to give them the weapons and ammunition to keep our countries safe. Since we agreed to NATO’s Defence Production Action Plan last July, the NSPA has agreed to contracts worth around $10 billion.
“This includes around $4 billion or howitzer shells, tank ammunition, anti-tank guided missiles and 155-millimetre ammunition, together with $5.5 billion for Patriot interceptor missiles.
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“This is a significant boost for our transatlantic defence industry, helping us meet our security needs while continuing to provide vital support for Ukraine.
“This week will also see the start of Exercise Steadfast Defender – the largest NATO exercise in decades with approximately 90,000 forces from all 31 [NATO] allies and Sweden.
“This Article 5 exercise is a clear demonstration of our transatlantic unity and strength and our determination to continue to do whatever is necessary to protect and defend each other. That includes making sure we have the right forces, capabilities, and ammunition,” Stoltenberg concluded.
Featured image: (L-R) Jens Stoltenberg and Stacy Cummings after signing the artillery ammunition contracts in Brussels on January 23, 2024. Image: NATO
