{"id":18044,"date":"2023-10-02T00:59:46","date_gmt":"2023-10-01T21:59:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=18044"},"modified":"2023-10-02T00:59:52","modified_gmt":"2023-10-01T21:59:52","slug":"nato-chief-addresses-international-defense-industry-forum-in-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/nato-chief-addresses-international-defense-industry-forum-in-ukraine\/","title":{"rendered":"NATO chief addresses International Defense Industry Forum in Ukraine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg traveled to Kyiv on September 29, 2023, to participate in Ukraine\u2019s first International Defense Industry Forum. He also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the status of the ongoing war and Ukraine\u2019s counteroffensive operations.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to an official statement released by NATO, Stoltenberg addressed the International Defense Industry Forum in Kyiv. He paid tribute to the Ukrainian people and armed forces for their courage and resilience against the Russian invasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut courage alone does not stop drones, heroism alone cannot intercept missiles. Ukraine needs capabilities, high quality, high quantity, and quickly,\u201d Stoltenberg said during his speech. He added that \u201cthere is no defense without industry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ukraine hosted the international conference for the defense industry as part of a government effort to ramp up weapons production within the country against the backdrop of the Russian invasion. The conference focused on reducing Kyiv\u2019s dependency on foreign arms and weapons deliveries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stoltenberg praised the resourcefulness of the Ukrainian defense industry, saying, \u201cFrom drones to de-mining, Ukraine has innovated at lightning speed.\u201d He added that \u201cthe stronger Ukraine is on the battlefield, the stronger their position will be at any negotiating table. So, while it may sound like a paradox, weapons for Ukraine are the way to peace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressing the first meeting of the International Defence Industry Forum in Kyiv, Ukraine, on September 29, 2023. (Image Credit: NATO)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The statement highlighted that since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started in 2022, NATO has been working through its Defense Production Action Plan to aggregate demand and increase interoperability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency has initiated several major programs, including framework contracts for $2.5 billion worth of key ammunition, as well as $1 billion of firm orders to cover capabilities such as 155-millimeter artillery, anti-tank guided missiles, and main battle tank ammunition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also addressed the conference. He said that around 250 defense companies from more than 30 countries had gathered in Kyiv to participate in the conference. Defense ministers and representatives of several countries also attended the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honoured to be back in Kyiv to meet President @ZelenskyyUa<\/a>. We discussed #Ukraine<\/a>\u2019s most urgent needs & the next steps in #NATO<\/a>\u2019s support. The stronger Ukraine becomes, the closer we are to ending Russia\u2019s aggression. pic.twitter.com\/6otciNMbJl<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) September 28, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>