Latest news with #NATO-standard
Euronews
16-07-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Is Russia producing a year's worth of NATO ammunition in three months?
In a keynote speech in London last month, the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte repeated a warning he has made in public at least three times this year: the western alliance is severely lagging behind Moscow on ammunition production. 'In terms of ammunition, Russia produces in three months what the whole of NATO produces in a year,' Rutte said on 10 June, adding that Putin's war machine is 'speeding up, not slowing down". Rutte, who became chief of the military alliance in October last year, went on to repeat the same warning. 'Let me repeat it again. NATO's economy is 25 times bigger than Russia's. It's 50 trillion (dollars), and the Russian economy is two trillion. That two-trillion-dollar economy is producing four times as much ammunition as the whole of NATO is producing at the moment,' he said. We verified his claims against the available data. We found that, while Moscow's ammunition production may have been approximately four times more than that of the NATO Alliance in 2024, there are signs that the gap could be closing. What do we know about Russia's ammunition production capacity? Information about Moscow's military production capacity is classified. Experts' estimates are based on the statements of officials, leaked intelligence and historical data. We can say with certainty that Moscow has steeply increased its ammunition production since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, outpacing its western counterparts. The Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service estimates that Russia produced or refurbished 400,000 artillery rounds in 2022, multiplying its production more than eleven-fold to produce 4.5 million rounds in 2024. An analysis by consulting firm Bain & Company for Sky News in May 2024 came to the same conclusion, putting the total number of shells produced or refurbished in 2024 at an estimated 4.5 million rounds. Russia predominantly produces 122mm and 152mm artillery shells, while the NATO-standard shell has a slightly bigger diameter of 155mm, and is mainly used in the Western Howitzer systems, such as those provided by allies to Kyiv. The Bain & Company analysis estimates that the 152mm shell favoured by Moscow is also around four times cheaper to produce at $1,000 (€860) per shell compared to $4,000 (€3430) for the NATO-standard 155mm shell. The ammunition stockpile available to Moscow is also believed to be greater than its own production capacity due to the stocks it imports from its allies. According to media reports citing South Korean intelligence leaked this week, North Korea has supplied Russia with 12 million rounds of 152mm shells to be used in Ukraine. While this figure cannot be independently verified, satellite imagery analysed by the Wall Street Journal last December showed signs of a significant scaling up of production facilities in North Korea as well as an increase in shipments to Russia. How does NATO's capacity compare? We verified Rutte's statements by looking at the comparative ammunition production capacity of European allies and the US, the main NATO manufacturers. In 2024, Europe and the US produced an estimated 1.2 million shells per year, according to the Berlin-based German Institute for International and Security Affairs, compared to Russia's estimated 4.5 million. These estimates would roughly align with Rutte's claim that Russia is producing four times more ammunition annually than its NATO counterparts. Yet the Western alliance is looking to dramatically close the gap in 2025. The European Commission has set a target to ramp up ammunition production to 2 million rounds per year in 2025, while the US is looking to hit a new target of 100,000 rounds per month by October. Other allies, including Norway, the United Kingdom and Canada, are also looking to boost supply chains. While hitting those targets would see NATO significantly close the gap on Russia, western allies have in the past struggled to fulfil their promises. The European Union missed its target to provide Ukraine with one million artillery shells by March last year, prompting the Czech Republic to spearhead an international fundraising drive to procure more ammunition rounds for Kyiv, which has since secured the participation of 16 countries. The Czech initiative has since delivered 1.6 million shells to Ukraine. The Czech foreign minister said in May that funding has been secured to keep the programme going through to 2026, but that its future depends on parliamentary elections scheduled to take place in October. Is the Western lag endangering Ukraine's resistance? It is also unclear how much of those Western stockpiles would be sent to Ukraine in 2025. The government in Kyiv has previously said it needs around 200,000 ammunition rounds per month to be able to withstand Russian assaults on the front line. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently said that Ukraine hopes to receive some 3 million artillery shells from its allies this year, including 1.8 million from a Czech-led programme. But the West, particularly Europe, is still struggling to fire up its ammunition industry. Explosives — the essential core of ammunition shells — are in shortage with just one single factory in Poland currently producing trinitrotoluene or TNT. Western targets are also still far behind Russia's, despite the Russian economy being almost 25 times smaller than the combined size of NATO's economies.
Euronews
25-06-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Rail Baltica could be used for defensive military purposes
After years of delays, construction on the 870-kilometre railway line through Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia is now gathering momentum. The Rail Baltica project is building one of the most modern high-speed lines in Europe. With the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, using the new NATO-standard line for military purposes is becoming increasingly important. Europe is growing together—and so is its cross-border transport infrastructure. Nine EU main transport corridors are to be completed by 2030 according to the European Commission's plan. The Baltic states are important for connecting the North Sea to the Baltic Sea, but also for the north-south corridors to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. In Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, tracks still have the old Russian broad gauge. The new line will have the European standard gauge. There are also geopolitical reasons for this change of gauge. In the event of a Russian attack, Rail Baltica should be able to transport troops and heavy military equipment from west to east. But the main goal of the new line is to improve the connection between the Baltic cities and the European single market: fast travel for tourists, business people and freight. The problem? The costs have quadrupled, from six to an estimated 24 billion euros. According to the European Commission, it's too expensive. Baltic auditors have also issued a warning. According to the joint three-country audit, there is a funding gap of eleven billion euros. For the time being, there will therefore be a pared-down 'economy route', where instead of a double track throughout, it will mostly have a single track. Fewer noise barriers will be erected, the track bed will be built somewhat lower than originally planned, and branch lines will initially keep the existing broad gauge. This will save several billion euros. The European Union is funding up to 85 percent of Rail Baltica from its Connecting Europe Facility funding pot. This is the EU's budget line for promoting cross-border transport infrastructure. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are paying for the rest. A fierce financial battle is raging behind the scenes. At the beginning of the year, ten EU heads of government sent a letter to the EU Commission requesting more money for cross-border transport networks—and fewer requirements. This was followed just a few weeks later by a second letter along the same lines, this time signed by the heads of government of the three Baltic states. Rail Baltica was actually meant to be finished this year. But there is at least a five-year delay! Now there is talk of it being finished in 2030. What are the reasons for the slow pace and exploding costs? In background discussions, the problems of the past are clear: Things are now going better because the European Commission is putting pressure on the project. Where construction is underway, for example on Neris Bridge in Lithuania, work is progressing. In the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, I met Marius Narmontas, one of the top managers of the three-country joint venture Rail Baltica. How does he explain the several-year delays? 'Planning and designing the route took longer than expected', said Narmontas, 'because we have never had such a large project before.' A lot depends on the European Commission and how they will negotiate the next financing period', he continued. In the Latvian capital Riga, Guntis Āboltiņš-Āboliņš, director of the construction company Bererix, warned of a potential security risk: 'From a military point of view, tanks could be loaded onto the railway in Russia and be in Riga in a few hours! That's why I think we should approach this strategically.' Āboltiņš-Āboliņš believes it would be wise to quickly convert the entire rail network from Russian broad gauge to European standard gauge. Catherine Trautmann coordinates the North Sea-Baltic transport corridor for the EU. She emphasised that the main connection, 'the backbone of Rail Baltica', should be built as quickly as possible. Trautmann is optimistic: 'Rail Baltica is a project that justifies European funding. We have a meeting with the European Investment Bank in autumn, because a loan could also be a solution.' Will the trains run in 2030, yes or no? Trautmann's answer is clear: 'Yes!'
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
DRDO-Bharat Forge develop an assault rifle lighter than a kitchen pressure cooker, built for urban warfare
The Defence Research and Development Organisation ( DRDO ) and Bharat Forge have jointly developed a new Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbine for the Indian Armed Forces. The weapon is intended to serve operational needs in urban warfare and counter-insurgency missions, where existing assault rifles may be less effective due to their size. The carbine is the result of collaboration between DRDO's Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune , and private-sector manufacturer Bharat Forge. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) had earlier issued an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 4,25,213 units of 5.56 x 45mm CQB Carbines in 2022. Developed through public-private collaboration 'This weapon has been designed by DRDO's ARDE, Pune, and is being manufactured by Bharat Forge,' said Prateek Kishore, Scientist and Director General of Armament & Combat Engineering Systems (ACE), DRDO. 'It's a clear case of full synergy between the development agency and the manufacturing partner, which has contributed to the successful realization of this system. It's an extremely proud moment not just for DRDO, but for the country as a whole.' Tailored for close-quarter combat The CQB Carbine is designed for rapid response in close-range combat scenarios such as counter-terrorism operations, building clearances, and engagements in dense or urban areas. The compact design improves mobility and response time during missions where standard assault rifles may not be suitable. Live Events Combat-ready and performance tested The carbine has been tested against international performance standards and is considered ready for infantry deployment. According to DRDO, the weapon weighs approximately 3.3 kilograms and has an effective range of 200 meters. It can fire both NATO-standard and INSAS ammunition. 'It is a highly potent weapon for our infantry soldiers,' Kishore said. 'Its ability to accommodate different ammunition types places it in a class of its own.' Design and specifications The weapon is equipped with a short barrel and modern ergonomic features, making it easier to use in confined areas. It also includes a 30-round curved magazine for consistent ammunition feeding during rapid fire. Key specifications: Ammunition: 5.56x30mm INSAS (compatible with NATO-standard rounds) Effective Range: Up to 200 meters Weight: Approx. 3.3 kilograms Magazine: 30-round curved magazine Design Advantage: Compact form with short barrel for better manoeuvrability Step toward defence self-reliance The carbine represents India's ongoing efforts to strengthen indigenous defence production through collaboration between research institutions and private manufacturers. This development marks a step forward in meeting the Indian Armed Forces' long-standing requirement for a lightweight, efficient weapon system suited for modern combat environments. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
I'm a ballroom dancer who joined Ukraine's special forces. The war took my leg, but I have no regrets signing up.
Serhii Nazarenko, a Ukrainian special forces officer, was a ballroom dancer before the war. He joined the NGU's Omega group in early 2024, training for six weeks before fighting Russian troops. Nazarenko told BI what it was like to lose his right leg to a land mine in October. This is as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Serhii Nazarenko, a 31-year-old Kyiv resident who taught ballroom dancing for 11 years before the war. He is now an officer and machine gunner of the NGU's elite Omega group. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. I was wide awake when I lost my leg. We were in Luhansk, and my squad was ordered to assault a Russian position in the treelines. All I could see was the soil flying as I toppled over. Then I remember seeing my commander frozen, shock in his eyes, as I lay on the ground. Three seconds later, he started shouting. I'd stepped on a land mine. "Apply your tourniquet on your leg," he yelled. Emotionless, I dug my tourniquet out of my vest and tied it around my right leg. Or what was left of it. By the time we retreated and I was evacuated to the hospital, I knew that almost everything below my right knee was gone. We were incredibly lucky. Everyone else in my squad was safe and with no injuries, and we returned home that day. I've been part of the Ukrainian National Guard's Omega group since early 2024. As special forces, we're deployed to assist different brigades along the front lines, conducting rescue missions, reconnaissance, and raids. As a machine gunner, my job was to provide suppressive fire and sometimes lead portions of an assault with light machine guns such as the Soviet PKM or NATO-standard M240. That was until October, when I was sent back to Kyiv, my hometown, to recover from my leg injury. I never thought I'd join the military. Before Russia invaded in 2022, I was a sales relations manager for a customer service company headquartered in Arizona. While working full-time, I also taught ballroom dancing — a craft I'd been pursuing since my mother took me for lessons when I was 12. For over 10 years, I performed onstage and trained students at a dance school in Kyiv. In 2021, I was also a choreographer for the Ukrainian version of "Dancing with the Stars." When Russia invaded my country in 2022, I joined Ukraine's National Guard. Our first mission was to defend Hostomel as Russian paratroopers tried to take the airfields, though I was at the rear because I was new. Then, we were assigned to attack the infamous Russian column of armored vehicles stuck on the road to Kyiv. After the Russians retreated, I was mostly sent to patrol areas that Ukraine had already retaken, keeping the peace in cities under our control. I felt like I could do more. I kept thinking that I hadn't done my job for my country yet, so I applied to Omega. The process to join took several weeks. I had to apply through a Google Form, participate in an interview, and take a physical test. Omega accepts members from many walks of life, but it is selective. The most important skill they looked for was my capacity to learn quickly. I had some combat experience, but I had to be proficient in various weapons beyond my standard-issue assault rifle, such as machine guns and grenade launchers. I spent about six weeks training with Omega and integrating into my unit. You can train for as long as you like, but the real combat situation is when you show your real ability to fight. Your best test is the front line. A key part of being an Omega member is being able to adapt. Each day, you're learning new information about your equipment, about weapons, about tactics, about strategy, about drones, about reconnaissance. My deployments with Omega were different from my time protecting cities in the rear. We rotated with other Omega soldiers on the front line, often fighting in close contact with the enemy, like clearing multistory apartment buildings, floor by floor, in Zaporizhzhia. War is nothing like in video games or Hollywood. It's messy. Out of all my missions, one left the deepest impact. We were sent to help the crew of an armored vehicle that came under Russian mortar fire. Even though we warned them to wait for us, they got out of their vehicle to repair it, and a mortar round struck them. One of them died, and we were forced to change our mission to focus on evacuating the wounded. We see every day how warfare is changing. Even though I'm in the special forces, not everything depends on your skill. When a drone comes to attack you, you hide. It doesn't matter who you are — the drone or mortar just hits you, and that's it. The biggest pressure in Omega is to be reliable for your teammates, so we all know we can depend on each other. When I stepped on the land mine and lost my leg, my first thought was: "I'm the bad person because I didn't do my job. Now we have to go back because of me." After October, I was given a prosthetic leg, and now I've been back at my unit for the last three weeks. So far, I'm helping out with public events and other tasks away from combat, while waiting for my sports prosthetic so that I can start training to run again and hopefully fight one day. When the war is over, we'll need to rebuild Ukraine's cultural scene. So many of our dancers and artists have died. Losing my leg will severely hurt my dancing ability, because although I have a prosthetic leg, I've lost my right foot. Still, if given a choice, I'd do it all again: Joining the National Guard in 2022 and then Omega in 2024. I know why I'm doing my job, for my family and homeland; I have a wife and a five-year-old daughter in Kyiv. For now, we can't think about dancing when our country's children are dying. But I want to return to the ballroom when the fighting is done. At least, I'll try. People will probably be able to tell that I'm wearing prosthetics, but I still want to perform. Hopefully, it will be a beautiful dance. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
30-05-2025
- Business Insider
I'm a ballroom dancer who joined Ukraine's special forces. The war took my leg, but I have no regrets signing up.
This is as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Serhii Nazarenko, a 31-year-old Kyiv resident who taught ballroom dancing for 11 years before the war. He is now an officer and machine gunner of the NGU's elite Omega group. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. I was wide awake when I lost my leg. We were in Luhansk, and my squad was ordered to assault a Russian position in the treelines. All I could see was the soil flying as I toppled over. Then I remember seeing my commander frozen, shock in his eyes, as I lay on the ground. Three seconds later, he started shouting. I'd stepped on a land mine. "Apply your tourniquet on your leg," he yelled. Emotionless, I dug my tourniquet out of my vest and tied it around my right leg. Or what was left of it. By the time we retreated and I was evacuated to the hospital, I knew that almost everything below my right knee was gone. We were incredibly lucky. Everyone else in my squad was safe and with no injuries, and we returned home that day. I've been part of the Ukrainian National Guard's Omega group since early 2024. As special forces, we're deployed to assist different brigades along the front lines, conducting rescue missions, reconnaissance, and raids. As a machine gunner, my job was to provide suppressive fire and sometimes lead portions of an assault with light machine guns such as the Soviet PKM or NATO-standard M240. That was until October, when I was sent back to Kyiv, my hometown, to recover from my leg injury. Before I fought the Russians, I danced I never thought I'd join the military. Before Russia invaded in 2022, I was a sales relations manager for a customer service company headquartered in Arizona. While working full-time, I also taught ballroom dancing — a craft I'd been pursuing since my mother took me for lessons when I was 12. For over 10 years, I performed onstage and trained students at a dance school in Kyiv. In 2021, I was also a choreographer for the Ukrainian version of "Dancing with the Stars." When Russia invaded my country in 2022, I joined Ukraine's National Guard. Our first mission was to defend Hostomel as Russian paratroopers tried to take the airfields, though I was at the rear because I was new. Then, we were assigned to attack the infamous Russian column of armored vehicles stuck on the road to Kyiv. After the Russians retreated, I was mostly sent to patrol areas that Ukraine had already retaken, keeping the peace in cities under our control. I felt like I could do more. I kept thinking that I hadn't done my job for my country yet, so I applied to Omega. The process to join took several weeks. I had to apply through a Google Form, participate in an interview, and take a physical test. Fighting in Ukraine's special forces Omega accepts members from many walks of life, but it is selective. The most important skill they looked for was my capacity to learn quickly. I had some combat experience, but I had to be proficient in various weapons beyond my standard-issue assault rifle, such as machine guns and grenade launchers. I spent about six weeks training with Omega and integrating into my unit. You can train for as long as you like, but the real combat situation is when you show your real ability to fight. Your best test is the front line. A key part of being an Omega member is being able to adapt. Each day, you're learning new information about your equipment, about weapons, about tactics, about strategy, about drones, about reconnaissance. My deployments with Omega were different from my time protecting cities in the rear. We rotated with other Omega soldiers on the front line, often fighting in close contact with the enemy, like clearing multistory apartment buildings, floor by floor, in Zaporizhzhia. War is nothing like in video games or Hollywood. It's messy. Out of all my missions, one left the deepest impact. We were sent to help the crew of an armored vehicle that came under Russian mortar fire. Even though we warned them to wait for us, they got out of their vehicle to repair it, and a mortar round struck them. One of them died, and we were forced to change our mission to focus on evacuating the wounded. We see every day how warfare is changing. Even though I'm in the special forces, not everything depends on your skill. When a drone comes to attack you, you hide. It doesn't matter who you are — the drone or mortar just hits you, and that's it. The biggest pressure in Omega is to be reliable for your teammates, so we all know we can depend on each other. When I stepped on the land mine and lost my leg, my first thought was: "I'm the bad person because I didn't do my job. Now we have to go back because of me." Returning to the war after losing a leg After October, I was given a prosthetic leg, and now I've been back at my unit for the last three weeks. So far, I'm helping out with public events and other tasks away from combat, while waiting for my sports prosthetic so that I can start training to run again and hopefully fight one day. When the war is over, we'll need to rebuild Ukraine's cultural scene. So many of our dancers and artists have died. Losing my leg will severely hurt my dancing ability, because although I have a prosthetic leg, I've lost my right foot. Still, if given a choice, I'd do it all again: Joining the National Guard in 2022 and then Omega in 2024. I know why I'm doing my job, for my family and homeland; I have a wife and a five-year-old daughter in Kyiv. For now, we can't think about dancing when our country's children are dying. But I want to return to the ballroom when the fighting is done. At least, I'll try. People will probably be able to tell that I'm wearing prosthetics, but I still want to perform. Hopefully, it will be a beautiful dance.
