NATO News and Discussion

[Time_Traveller]

Nato in a bind as Russian attacks edge closer to alliance's territory

Oct 7 2023 | 7:22 AM IST

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has an increasingly tricky problem in its backyard: how to confront the spillover from Russia’s war without sparking further escalation.

As Ukraine reaps a bumper harvest, Russia is targeting the export routes that run from the ports around Odesa. That’s forcing grain ships on a new path that hugs the Romanian coastline and bringing the threat of attacks closer and closer to NATO’s shores.

Romanian radar detected a breach of its territory last weekend, the latest in a string of such incidents, while Bulgaria next door has found drone debris on its soil. Off shore, drifting sea mines and GPS-jamming that risks marine collisions are pushing the 31-member alliance into taking a view.

For now, it is inclined to see the incidents as mishaps. Even so, the subject is expected to be raised at a meeting of defense ministers in Brussels next week, according to a NATO diplomat, who asked not be named when discussing confidential information.

https://www.business-standard.com/world ... 250_1.html

[raklian]

[weatheriscool]

[weatheriscool]

[weatheriscool]

Sweden moves a step closer to NATO membership after Turkey's parliamentary committee gives approval

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee gave its consent to Sweden’s bid to join NATO on Tuesday, drawing the previously nonaligned Nordic country closer to membership in the Western military alliance.

Sweden’s accession protocol will now need to be approved in the Turkish parliament’s general assembly for the last stage of the legislative process in Turkey. No date has been set.

Turkey, a NATO member, has delayed ratification of Sweden’s membership for more than a year, accusing the country of being too lenient toward groups that Ankara regards as threats to its security, including Kurdish militants and members of a network that Ankara blames for a failed coup in 2016.

The Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee had begun discussing Sweden’s membership in NATO last month. But the meeting was adjourned after legislators from Erdogan’s ruling party submitted a motion for a postponement on grounds that some issues needed more clarification and that negotiations with Sweden hadn’t “matured” enough.

https://apnews.com/article/sweden-turke ... 48ca65b507

[weatheriscool]

NATO to Help Buy 1,000 Patriot Missiles to Defend Allies as Russia Ramps up Air Assault on Ukraine

Source: US News and World Report/AP

Jan. 3, 2024, at 8:49 a.m.

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO announced Wednesday that it would help buy up to 1,000 Patriot missiles so that allies can better protect their territory as Russia ramps up its air assault on Ukraine.

NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency said it will support a group of nations, including Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain, in buying the Patriots, which are used to defend against cruise and ballistic missiles as well as enemy aircraft. According to industry sources, the contract could be worth around $5.5 billion.

The purchase could help allies free up more of their own defense systems for Ukraine. The agency said that “other user nations are expected to benefit from the conditions of the contract,” without elaborating.

“Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian civilians, cities and towns show how important modern air defenses are,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement. “Scaling up ammunition production is key for Ukraine’s security and for ours.”

Read more: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/artic ... on-ukraine

[weatheriscool]

[weatheriscool]

[Time_Traveller]

Britons face call-up to fight in the armed forces if UK goes to war with Russia, top army chief warns

29 minutes ago

The head of the British Army has warned that his forces, including all reserves, would not be large enough to defend the country if there is a war with Russia and it was essential to plan for national mobilisation.

General Sir Patrick Sanders said lessons must be learned from the Ukraine war which showed the value of a citizen army. He pointed to the defence strategies being adopted by Baltic and Scandinavian states to involve the general population as a way forward.

The Chief of General Staff (CGS) is said to be opposed to conscription, but held that civilians need to be involved in defending the country at a time of conflict.

Speaking at a conference on armoured warfare in Twickenham, south-west London, Gen Sanders said: “We need an Army designed to expand rapidly to enable the first echelon, resource the second echelon, and train and equip the citizen army that must follow.

“Within the next 3 years, it must be credible to talk of a British Army of 120 000, folding in our Reserve and strategic reserve. But this is not enough.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/h ... 83837.html

[Powers]

And the fleet? Not to mention like the rest of Europe.