NATO commanders urge to boost defense production to ensure weapons supply

Europe, News September 18, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

NATO chiefs of defense gathered in Oslo, Norway for the annual Military Committee Conference from September 14 to 16, 2023. The defense leaders expressed concerns about production capacity shortages that result in increased delivery times and prices for equipment and ammunition.

The NATO defense chiefs noted that due to rising costs, the increased defense spending does not actually lead to more security, and urged for a boost in defense production to ensure weapons and equipment, especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

According to the NATO statement, the agenda of the conference focussed on “implementing the decisions taken at the Vilnius Summit, which aim to further strengthen the Alliance’s Deterrence and Defence Posture.”

Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer said, “Right now, we are paying more and more for exactly the same… and that means that we cannot make sure that the increased defense spending actually leads to more security. Our liberal economies are not apt at creating the prioritization that is so desperately needed right now. Long term stability needs to prevail over short term profits.”

The annual #NATO Military Committee Conference takes place in Oslo this weekend 🇳🇴
The conference started with a visit to Ørland. The chiefs had good discussions on Norway’s experiences with the F-35s, Air Defense and allied exercises out of the strategic air base ✈️ pic.twitter.com/vlB1yLALVS
— Norwegian Armed Forces | Forsvaret (@Forsvaret_no) September 14, 2023

The NATO Military Committee Conference was hosted by Norwegian Chief of Defense General Eirik Kristoffersen and Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram. During the meeting, Admiral Bauer highlighted the plans that allies agreed in Vilnius would impact the development of NATO armed forces.

The chair of the NATO Military Committee said, “We are taking bold steps to further strengthen our deterrence and defense posture. Never before have NATO and national defense plans been so closely interlinked.”

While addressing the regional plans of NATO Allies, Admiral Bauer said, “To turn these plans into action, we will need more troops at higher readiness; capability building and development; adapt the NATO’s command and control structures; more enablement, which includes logistics, host nation support, maintenance, military mobility, and replenishment and prepositioning of stocks; and crucially, it involves more collective defense exercise and training.”

NATO Military Committee Conference 2023 — *^{NATO Chiefs of Defense gathered in Oslo, Norway for annual Military Committee Conference from September 14 to 16, 2023. (Image Credit: NATO)}*

While in Norway, Admiral Rob Bauer also traveled to Ørland air base, home to Norway’s F-35 fighter jets, and was briefed on “Norway’s approach to Nordic air defense”, enhancing cooperation with Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, and reinforcing its air capabilities and plans. The airbase houses Norway’s F-35As, the Air Defense Battalion, and search and rescue helicopters, as well as equipped to host NATO’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.

During the Military Committee Conference in Oslo, the chiefs of defense agreed to extend Admiral Bauer’s mandate for an extra 6 months. In response to the decision, Admiral Bauer stated: “I am honored and humbled by the continued trust that the Allied Chiefs of Defence have placed in me. I will do my utmost to keep unifying north, south, east, west, large, and small within our Alliance. And to actively reach out to NATO’s Partners around the world. Always building on the fundamental belief that there is so much more that unites us, than what divides us. And that we are truly stronger together.”