NATO needs up to 50 additional brigades to defend itself if Russia attacks - media

Reuters reported the information, citing an anonymous military source.

The news agency's source refused to give details of the secret plan. However, it is known that the brigade consists of 3,000-7,000 soldiers, so creating 35 to 50 such units would be a serious challenge.

“It is unclear from where NATO allies might draw the additional personnel for 35 to 50 brigades. Troops could be shifted from other parts of the armed forces, additional soldiers could be recruited, or NATO members could opt for a mix of both approaches.

Air defense is another major shortfall that NATO military planners have identified, as the war in Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of these systems to protect critical military and civilian infrastructure,” the outlet notes.

The news agency notes that NATO leaders agreed on the Alliance's first major defense plans in 30 years at a summit in Vilnius last year and have been working on translating them into military requirements ever since.

The leaders of the bloc are expected to receive an update on the plans at the Washington summit on July 9-11.

A NATO spokesperson said when asked for comment that the bloc's military planners have identified “detailed requirements for troops and weapons needed to defend the Alliance”.

“Air and missile defenses, long-range weapons, logistics as well as large land maneuver formations are among our top priorities. NATO will likely set more demanding capability targets for allies, as we develop forces that can implement our plans and meet the threats we face. We are confident that our deterrence is and will remain strong,” he said.

The article adds that another problem for NATO, which takes the threat of a full-scale Russian attack on Ukraine in 2022 "more seriously," is the need for Germany to quadruple its air defense capabilities.

• On July 10, 2023, it was reported that NATO had adopted regional defense plans that detail how to respond in the event of a Russian attack.