NATO will need 35 up to 50 additional army brigades to carry out its new defense plans against a possible Russian attack, Reuters reported, citing an anonymous military source. He refused to reveal more details about the plans, which are secret, adds the agency, writes BTA.
Between 3,000 and 7,000 servicemen make up a brigade, so forming similar combat units of between 35 and 50 would be a significant challenge, according to Reuters.
Another sign that NATO is stepping up as it takes the threat from Moscow even more seriously after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 is the information from a security source that Germany alone will have to quadruple capacity of its air defense, the agency also writes.
At last year's summit in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, the leaders of NATO member states adopted the alliance's first large-scale defense plans in more than three decades, and since then representatives have been working to translate the decisions into concrete military requirements, Reuters explains.
The leaders are expected to update their plans at the NATO summit starting tomorrow in the US capital Washington, where the 75th anniversary of the alliance will be celebrated.
Asked by Reuters, NATO officials said the alliance's military planners had drawn up "detailed requirements for troops and weapons necessary for the alliance's defense". "Air and missile defense, long-range weapons, logistics, as well as formations for large-scale ground maneuvers are among the top priorities," the said representatives added.
"NATO is likely to increase the defense capabilities of its allies as we work to build forces to meet the threats we face. We are confident that our defense capabilities are and will be great," said the Reuters interlocutors.
It is not clear where NATO countries will recruit military personnel for the formation of another 35 to 50 brigades, Reuters points out. The ground forces could be redeployed from other branches of the military, a new army recruitment pool could be made, and some alliance member countries would combine the two approaches.
NATO military planning experts point to air defense as another major shortcoming, given the need for air defense systems to protect strategic military and civilian infrastructure demonstrated by the war in Ukraine.
These systems would be of particular importance for Germany, which could be a large logistics center and a scene of action in a possible conflict with Russia, Reuters points out, recalling that 36 "Patriot" air defense systems were deployed on German territory. ; during the Cold War.