Jens Stoltenberg warned Ukraine was using its ammunition faster than its allies could provide it. This put pressure on the Western defense industry.
"The war in Ukraine depleted so much ammunition and depleted allied stockpiles, the average ammunition expenditure is much higher than our current production levels, putting our defense industry under pressure," Stoltenberg said Monday (13/2/2023) .
Based on estimates, Ukraine fires around 6 to 7 thousand artillery shells every day. That's about a third of the number of shells the Russians have fired each day since the invasion.
On the night before a meeting of NATO country defense ministers, Stoltenberg said the lead time for supplies of large caliber ammunition had gone up from 12 to 28 months. "Orders placed today can only be delivered in the next two and a half years," he added.
Stoltenberg said President Vladimir Putin had already started his spring offensive. "So we must continue to provide Ukraine with what it takes to win and to achieve a just and sustainable peace," said the former Prime Minister of Norway.
"Obviously we are in a logistics race, key capabilities such as ammunition, fuel and spare parts must arrive in Ukraine before Russia can seize the initiative on the battlefield, speed will save lives," Stoltenberg added.
NATO members and other Ukrainian allies held meetings at NATO headquarters under US supervision. They discussed efforts to ship more weapons to Ukraine.
Many NATO member countries supply military equipment and weapons to Ukraine through bilateral channels. But NATO as a defense organization only provides non-lethal assistance.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will hold a separate meeting with Ukraine's defense minister on Tuesday (14/2/2023). On Wednesday (15/2/2023) they will discuss NATO defenses on the left flank near Russia. Steps to increase the military budget will also be discussed.