The Ukraine conflict exposed flaws in Western defense industries, which remain unresolved, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said after a military aid contact group meeting.
“Ukraine crisis exposed some shortcomings in our defense industrial base,” Austin stated at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. “We’ve galvanized our defense industry, investing nearly $70 billion domestically to support Ukraine and replenish our stocks.”
The 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, focused on coordinating arms supplies to Kiev, took place on January 9.
Western nations have provided over $126 billion in security aid to Kiev since the start of Russia’s special military operation, a senior Pentagon official noted.
Russian authorities have consistently stated that arming Ukraine will not deter Russia’s resolve or alter the course of its special military operation.
