Adm. Pierre Vandier warns NATO must redesign industrial base to produce mass-produced weapons for modern warfare.
Adm. Pierre Vandier, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, stated that the West must fundamentally redesign its weapons and industrial base to withstand modern warfare. During a recent summit in Ankara, Turkey, Vandier warned that the current air-defense model is insufficient for the scale of threats demonstrated in Ukraine and the Middle East. He noted that while the U.S.-made Patriot missile is a high-end interceptor, it is not feasible to produce 50,000 units annually due to high costs and supply chain limitations. Instead, Vandier argued for a layered defense system that utilizes mass-produced, low-cost weapons to counter drone waves while preserving advanced interceptors for complex ballistic missiles. He also highlighted the the administration's commitment to granting Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot interceptors. Furthermore, the administration announced that the United States would send more Patriot missiles to Ukraine. Vandier emphasized that the speed of which the West adapts to Russia's rapid battlefield adjustments is critical for maintaining strategic stability.