NATO has changed the situation with ammunition. Russia is no longer in the lead - Rutte

NATO has started producing more ammunition than Russia. This was stated by Secretary General of the Alliance Mark Rutte at a forum in Romania.

"We have already changed the situation with ammunition. Until recently, Russia produced more ammunition than all NATO countries combined. But now everything is different," he said .

According to Rutte, dozens of new production lines are being opened in all NATO member states, and existing ones are being expanded. Ammunition production is now higher than in decades.

"We need to build on this progress in other areas, from high-end air defense systems to low-cost drone interceptors. Here, quantity plays a key role... To stay safe in the future, we need to outsmart our adversaries by using all our strengths," Rutte said .

He noted that Russia will remain a destabilizing force in Europe and the world for the foreseeable future. And it is not alone in its attempts to undermine global rules, as it cooperates with China, North Korea, Iran and other states.

According to NATO Secretary General, these countries are increasing cooperation in the defense industry to an "unprecedented level" and are preparing for a prolonged confrontation.

"We cannot be naive. We must be prepared... I am convinced that together we have what it takes to outmatch in arms, production and cunning those who seek to harm or humiliate us," Rutte concluded .

• In February 2024, the head of Estonian intelligence said that Russia is able to produce more weapons, than it loses. The same applies to manpower.
• In May, an analysis showed that Russia produces shells three times faster and four times cheaper than in the West.
• In June 2025, European Commissioner Kubilius said that Russia produces in three months than the entire NATO budget in a year, and called on Europe to arm itself faster.