Washington, July 11, 2024 – The 75th anniversary NATO summit opened on Tuesday with a stark focus on the Russian army’s unexpected ability to rearm and increase its firepower amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
As the allies gathered to discuss long-term military support for Ukraine, concerns mounted over the scale of Russia’s rearmament efforts and their implications for global security.
General Christopher Cavoli, who commands all US forces in Europe, issued a grave warning to the House Armed Services Committee in Washington.
He revealed that Russia is on track to produce or refurbish over 1,200 new main battle tanks annually and manufacture at least 3 million artillery shells or rockets each year.
This represents more than three times the amount the US initially estimated at the beginning of the war and surpasses the combined ammunition production of all 32 NATO allies.
For many experts, the extent of Russia’s rearmament remains a closely guarded secret on both sides of the conflict. The number of tanks, drones, and missiles the Russian army can mobilize, along with the actual number of casualties, are among the most enigmatic aspects of the war.
The uncertainty surrounding Russia’s military capabilities continues to be a critical factor in the conflict, with significant implications for Ukraine and its allies.
Initially, Ukraine’s allies were skeptical of Moscow’s ability to rebuild its arsenal, particularly its capacity to produce precision missiles.
The Russian defense industrial complex, known as Oboronno-promyshlennyi kompleks, was perceived as reliant on technologies and components imported from Western countries.
However, recent developments have demonstrated Russia’s resilience and adaptability, raising concerns among NATO members.
Over the past several months, the Russian defense industry has undergone significant reorganization. Factories have switched to a three-shift, 24-hour production schedule, increasing the number of production lines and reviving dormant industrial sites.
The appointment of economist Andrei Belousov as head of the Russian Defense Ministry in May provided additional momentum.
On June 5, Moscow further centralized its war effort coordination under the Security Council, led by Sergei Shoigu, the former defense minister and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin.
Despite the sanctions imposed by the US and the European Union at the onset of the war, Moscow has managed to circumvent these restrictions.
A January note from the Institute for the Study of War highlighted Russia’s use of evasion tactics to mitigate the impact of Western sanctions.
Similarly, an April report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) analyzed Moscow’s supply chains and confirmed the effectiveness of these tactics.
NATO’s heightened concerns come as the alliance seeks to bolster its military support for Ukraine, facing an increasingly resilient and well-armed Russian adversary.
The scale of Russia’s rearmament efforts and their potential to prolong the conflict underscores the urgent need for a coordinated and robust response from NATO members.
As the summit continues, the allies are expected to deliberate on strategies to counter Russia’s rearmament and support Ukraine in its struggle.
The evolving dynamics of the conflict and the challenges posed by Russia’s military capabilities will undoubtedly shape the discussions and decisions made during this pivotal gathering.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members