How does NATO plan to increase its military potential?
NATO plans to create 49 additional combat brigades, each consisting of 5,000 troops.
According to RT on October 6, the German newspaper Die Welt reported, citing unpublished NATO documents, that the alliance plans to create 49 additional combat brigades, each with 5,000 troops. Therefore, if these plans are implemented, the total number of combat-ready brigades will increase to 131. Previously, NATO said that only 82 brigades would be enough.
The military build-up is required by the so-called “Minimum Capability Requirements” (MCR), set by NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe – General Christopher Cavoli, and NATO Commander Allied Transformation – Pierre Vandier, Die Welt notes.
The creation of the new brigade will require increasing the number of combat corps from 6 to 15, and increasing the division headquarters from 24 to 38. In addition, the alliance plans to increase the number of ground air defense units by five times – from 293 to 1,467 units. It is reported that these units will be equipped with Patriot, IRIS-T SLM, Skyranger air defense systems, as well as short- and long-range defense equipment. In addition, the number of helicopter units will increase from 90 to 104.
Achieving the goals set out in the MCR will require additional funding. This burden will be shared among countries based on population size and economic opportunity. It is forecast that to implement these plans, NATO countries will need to increase their defense spending, which currently stands at 2% of GDP.
A significant portion of the MCR spending will be in Germany, according to Die Welt. In particular, planners believe the Bundeswehr (German Army) will need to recruit five or six additional combat brigades, according to Die Welt. Germany currently has eight brigades in service. Another is under construction, and a 10th is expected to be deployed by 2031.
Die Welt added that existing units are underfunded and face shortages of personnel and equipment, the newspaper wrote.
NATO has set a target of increasing the number of troops, Die Welt notes, after designating Russia as the main security threat in its new strategic concept in 2022. The alliance then formulated minimum requirements to “protect its territory”.
This MCR policy will continue under the alliance's new Secretary General Mark Rutte. At a press conference after taking office, Mr. Rutte stressed that increasing the number and equipping of NATO troops will be one of the priorities of his term. Along with that, Mr. Rutte called aid to Ukraine in the conflict with Russia his second priority; seeing it as an investment in the alliance's security.
Russian military analysts and political scientists believe that the alliance began building up its military potential on the borders with Russia, including the Baltic states, even before Russia launched its special military operation. Therefore, the “Russian threat” is just a pretext for NATO to expand its military forces.
“The West is increasing its power projection capabilities. Finland recently joined NATO, and the alliance is increasing its capabilities in the Baltic states. This is a threat to Russia. We cannot rule out the possibility of NATO troops entering Russian territory. This may seem unbelievable to some, but unbelievable things have happened to Russia many times. Therefore, in response to NATO’s actions, Russia will target targets with weapons, conduct reconnaissance and collect information,” said military analyst Vadimi Kozyulin.