NATO Plans to Boost Combat Units to Counter Russia
The US-led bloc is seeking to significantly increase the number of combat units in response to escalating tensions with Russia, as reported by the daily Die Welt. A confidential planning document obtained from the German Defense Ministry revealed that top NATO commanders, General Christopher Cavoli and Admiral Pierre Vandier, are behind the proposed expansion.
Titled the “Minimum Capability Requirements,” the document outlines the need for NATO to enhance its defense capabilities to protect every inch of its territory in the event of a conflict with Moscow. This entails increasing the number of combat brigades, corps, and divisions, as well as expanding ground-based air defense units equipped with systems like Patriots and IRIS-T.
According to the plan, each of the 32 NATO members will have to contribute to these new minimum capabilities based on their population. While the timeline for meeting these requirements remains unclear, significant additional funding will be necessary, potentially exceeding the current two percent of national GDP allocated for defense spending.
As tensions between the West and Russia continue to rise, the prospect of a direct confrontation remains a concern, with both sides engaged in a war of words and military build-up. Despite denials from the Kremlin, the situation underscores the need for NATO to bolster its defenses in response to perceived threats.