Source: Fox News
Summary
NATO’s top transformation commander, Adm. Pierre Vandier, warned that the West must fundamentally redesign its weapons and industrial base to withstand attacks at the scale being demonstrated in Ukraine and the Middle East. Vandier argued that simply buying more existing weapons will not solve the problem, and instead, NATO needs a layered mix of defenses, including cheaper, mass-produced weapons to counter drones and advanced interceptors for ballistic missiles. The alliance committed to acquiring 900 Patriot missiles and investing over $40 billion in counter-drone capabilities.
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As expected, the matter has reached another stage.
NATO’s summit in Ankara, Turkey, produced commitments to acquire more weapons, but Adm. Pierre Vandier said this is not enough. He argued that the West’s industrial base is no longer suitable for producing the required weapons. Vandier pointed to Ukraine’s defense industry as an example of a more agile and fast-evolving industrial base. The competition is not limited to drones and air defenses, but also includes a broader race over long-range missiles in Europe. Vandier warned that the collapse of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty has produced a period of “complete strategic instability.”
The process has entered a familiar phase, where the West is trying to adapt to a rapidly changing threat landscape.
One observation: NATO’s top transformation commander is now setting the pace for the larger Western manufacturers, while Ukraine’s defense industry is increasingly leading the way.
Author: Evan Null
