Stoltenberg said NATO’s updated Strategic Concept would likely see Russia as “the most immediate and significant threat” to security.
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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday said the military alliance was poised to increase the number of combat-ready forces to more than 300,000 as part of what he described as “the biggest reshuffle in terms of military capabilities.” defensive capabilities and collective deterrence since the Cold War.”
His comments come as NATO leaders prepare to meet in Madrid, Spain this week to decide on the so-called Strategic Concept, the 30-member alliance’s most important document.
This document, updated approximately every decade, will reaffirm NATO’s values, provide a joint assessment of security challenges, and serve as a guide for political and military developments. in the future of the block.
Stoltenberg repeated the alliance’s intention to recognize Russia as “the most immediate and important threat“on security following President Vladimir Putin’s onslaught in Ukraine.
“Our NATO summit in Madrid this week will be transformative with many important decisions, including on a new Strategic Concept for a new security reality,” Stoltenberg said at a press conference. news conference.
“We will transform the NATO Response Force and increase the number of combat-ready forces to over 300,000,” he added.
This commitment reflects an increase of approximately 650% due to the increased NATO Response Force which now includes about 40,000 troops.
“These soldiers will be training with the domestic defense forces, and they will be familiar with the local terrain facilities… to be able to react favorably and quickly to any situation,” Mr. Stoltenberg said. any emergency”.
He added that a substantial military build-up would require additional investment from NATO members.
Commenting on the newly released defense spending figures, Stoltenberg said 2022 will mark the eighth consecutive year of increased spending by European allies and Canada.
At the end of the year, Stoltenberg said it would invest “more than” $350 billion since the group’s Defense Investment Pledge in 2014. This refers to NATO agreeing to allied members. spend at least 2% of gross domestic product on defense within a decade.
Stoltenberg said the 2% benchmark is “increasingly seen as a floor, not a ceiling”.
