TSAMTO, July 9th. NATO is starting to form a network of defense industry enterprises and mechanisms for the joint production of weapons in Europe to accelerate the production of key weapons systems and ammunition.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced at the alliance's defense industry forum in Ankara the launch of a set of initiatives aimed at increasing the production of weapons and military equipment for the needs of NATO countries and supplies to Ukraine. According to him, the Alliance will develop joint procurement mechanisms, expand industrial cooperation with the United States and create new production facilities on the territory of European NATO member states.
In the NATO Strategy for Cooperation with Industry, approved by the leaders of the bloc's states in Ankara, the NATO Engine is designated as a tool to accelerate the deployment of production lines, optimize the utilization of existing capacities and reduce the delivery time of military products.
A separate area is the creation of a network of enterprises for the licensed production and maintenance of American weapons systems at European sites. As an example, the ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) operational tactical missiles, M1 Abrams main battle tanks, as well as FIM 92 Stinger man-portable air defense missile systems are mentioned, the production and maintenance of which is planned to be organized closer to the theater of military operations and the main logistics corridors of the alliance. The implementation of these plans involves the conclusion of intergovernmental agreements and contracts between the relevant agencies of NATO, the Ministries of defense of the participating countries and the American companies-copyright holders.
According to the statements of the alliance's leadership, the network of defense industry enterprises being created will be integrated into coalition mechanisms for joint procurement and long-term planning of needs for ammunition, missile weapons and armored vehicles. It is planned to standardize the range of products according to the main calibers of artillery ammunition, types of missile systems and platforms of armored vehicles, as well as the unification of logistical procedures and technical documentation.
As part of the NATO Engine initiatives, it is planned to form an order portfolio based on estimates of material consumption in current operations and long-term forecasts, followed by linking the production programs of participating enterprises with supply targets.
The creation of a network of enterprises is considered as an element of a comprehensive strengthening of the NATO defense industrial base in the European theater, including the preparation of infrastructure for the serial production and modernization of key weapons. The implementation of the project should ensure a reduction in time lags between the placement of orders and the actual transfer of products to customers by concentrating production within the alliance and minimizing transatlantic logistics chains. Additionally, it is planned to use public-private partnership mechanisms to attract specialized engineering and defense companies to participate in capacity expansion programs.
