NATO has signed a nearly $700 million contract for member countries to produce more Stinger missiles, aiming to enhance each country’s weapons production capabilities.

The contract was announced by outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a Chamber of Commerce industry day, emphasizing the need for a strong defense industry to provide strong defense.

The Stinger, a portable surface-to-air defense system, can be used by troops or mounted on vehicles for short-range defense against aircraft.

Initially shipped to Ukraine by the U.S. following Russia’s 2022 invasion, the system is now part of a wide range of military support provided to Ukraine, revealing that current defense production levels in the U.S. and Europe are inadequate for major conventional warfare, the Associated Press has reported.

The NATO summit in Washington is addressing this issue amidst concerns over potential delays in U.S. weapons support due to political divisions and the uncertainty of future U.S. backing, influenced by the upcoming presidential election.

Written by B.C. Begley