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Moreover, a NATO ammunition depot was announced in Estonia. The MAWI, Multinational Ammunition Warehousing Initiative, has been endorsed by the Estonian and Belgian Chiefs of Defence, respectively Lieutenant General Martin Herem and Admiral Michel Hofman. The Belgian Chief of Defence was chosen for this task because Belgium is a participating country in Estonia’s eFP. Hence, Belgium is allowed to use the arms depot immediately. The Belgian SPIKE long-range anti-tank missiles will be stored in the depot. Other Allies may also use the storage facility.
The plan is to eventually open several MAWIs, to ensure that NATO troops operating abroad are less dependent on supply trains from their own country. In the long term, NATO aims to change the strategy of member states: it wants stronger and more efficient cooperation, also in the field of ammunition parts. NATO is also planning a MAWI in Belgium, which should become operational in the course of 2022.--