Russia can purchase more weapons than NATO’s European members even when their defense budgets are comparable. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte acknowledged this advantage during an appearance on Dutch broadcaster NPO 1.

He attributed the difference to the structure of the Russian economy, which gives Moscow greater purchasing power when spending money on military equipment. In response, Rutte proposed opening discussions with European automakers about the types of military products their factories could manufacture.

The NATO chief also pointed to a major expansion of Western ammunition production, with output increasing sixfold over the past several years. However, scaling up the manufacture of more sophisticated military hardware presents a different challenge. Building tanks and fighter jets takes considerably longer.

Rutte also acknowledged that European NATO members will remain unable to provide for their own defense without American assistance. He expects their dependence on the United States to continue for the next decade.