NATO plans to deploy up to 300000 troops along eastern flank
In the coming months, the North Atlantic Alliance will intensify its efforts to stockpile weapons along the bloc's eastern border and send tens of thousands of military personnel that can rush to allies' aid on short notice.
Politico writes about this with reference to sources.
As noted in the publication, NATO intends to stop russia if it decides to expand the war beyond Ukraine.
"With countries already worried about their own munitions stockpiles and Ukraine in acute need of more shells and weapons from allies, there is a risk that not all NATO allies will live up to their promises to contribute to the alliance's new plans," the authors said.
Politico also writes that such actions require coordination and great efforts from 30 NATO members:
- provision of soldiers,
- places for training,
- a large number of weapons and equipment.
Military leaders this spring will submit updated regional defense plans intended to help redefine how the alliance protects its 1 billion citizens, according to the newspaper.
Officials proposed that up to 300,000 NATO troops are needed for the new model to work.
According to Heinrich Brauß, former NATO assistant secretary general for defense policy and force planning, the first echelon could consist of about 100,000 soldiers ready to redeploy within ten days.
It can be formed from Poland, Norway, and the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania It may also include multinational battlegroups the alliance has already set up in the eastern flank.
A second echelon of troops will support these soldiers, ready to deploy from countries such as Germany within 10 to 30 days.
But the process can be difficult because such an immediate rollover, even within a month, requires a lot of people, equipment, training, and money.
When NATO's military plans are ready, the capitals will be asked to express their opinion.
" We are asking the nations — based on our findings out of our three regional plans — what we need to make these plans … executable. I think the most difficult thing is the procurement," a senior NATO military official said.
Some allies have already recognized that much more investment will be needed to meet NATO's needs.
For reference:
The US military base in Poland will be established in March.
On March 15, Erdogan said that his country "will keep the promise it made" regarding Finland's entry into the NATO defense alliance. As for Sweden, it will probably happen after the elections in Türkiye.
