NATO countries are increasing their weapons production capabilities as a precaution ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November.
They have secured a contract worth nearly $700 million for additional Stinger missiles and have committed to enhancing their own defense manufacturing capacities.
The announcements were made on Tuesday at the beginning of the NATO summit in Washington, where leaders emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine and ensuring the alliance's readiness for potential future threats.
The Stinger is a portable surface-to-air defense system designed to be carried and fired by troops, or mounted on vehicles for short-range defense against aircraft.
The Raytheon-manufactured Stinger system was among the first weapons sent by the U.S. to Ukraine after Russia-Ukraine war has started.
Now, it is part of a vast array of systems, along with tens of millions of rounds of ammunition, artillery, and missiles, drawn from stockpiles globally to aid Ukraine.
However, this rapid mobilization over the past two years highlighted deficiencies in defense production capacities both in the U.S. and Europe, particularly for sustaining major conventional warfare efforts.
The war also prompted NATO members to boost their defense spending.
Among the 32 NATO members, 23 are projected to meet the 2% spending commitment this year, a significant increase from only six before Russia's invasion.
However, there is a consensus that this is still insufficient, considering Russia's ability to quickly replenish lost weapons using its large workforce.
Since the invasion, the U.S. has supplied over $53.6 billion in weapons and security aid to Ukraine.
This assistance, coinciding with ongoing shipments to Israel and Taiwan, has placed significant strain on U.S. stockpiles.
In total, other NATO members and international partners have contributed approximately $50 billion in weapons and security aid, as reported by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, an independent research organization in Germany.
