Photo: General Christopher Cavoli
NATO countries must produce more military equipment to counter the growing threat from Russia, General Christopher Cavoli, the supreme allied commander in Europe, told AFP on Thursday, June 6.
" ;When it comes to military equipment… we need to produce more, we need to expand our industrial base," – Cavoli said at a commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings.
The general stressed that the alliance is “ready for collective territorial defense,” recalling a large-scale exercise called Steadfast Defender 24, in which January to May, 90,000 Allied troops took part.
"Over the past few years, we have completely shifted our focus: we used to conduct operations outside the territory, and now we are focused on protecting the territory of the alliance,", – said Cavoli.
"We need to produce equipment faster. I think that all countries of the alliance understand this and are working on it,”– he added.
The general emphasized that the alliance intends to “purposefully study everything related to this conflict (the war between Ukraine and Russia) so that we can (take note of all this) and develop.”
Cavoli mentioned “innovative uses of technology,” such as low-cost drones used by both Russia and Ukraine for reconnaissance and strikes.
NATO troops will study “techniques” and tactics” used in Ukraine, in the new training center that will be created in Poland, added the commander of the North Atlantic Alliance forces in Europe.
Prepared by: Sergei Daga