As of: February 15, 2024, 1:13 p.m
By: Peter Sieben
Comments
Press
Split
NATO defense ministers meet in Brussels.
Topic: expanding defense capabilities.
Things are still going well, experts say – but only under one condition.
Brussels/Berlin – February is all about defense: The huge NATO exercise “Steadfast Defender 2024” is really getting rolling these days, and shortly before the Munich Security Conference at the weekend, the defense ministers of the NATO states are meeting on Thursday Brussels.
Core issue: expanding the alliance's deterrence and defense capabilities.
NATO meeting in Brussels: Security situation more tense than it has been for a long time
The security situation in Europe is more tense than it has been for a long time, and there has recently been an unprecedented increase in defense spending by member states.
And yet around a third of the alliance countries are likely to miss the annual target of investing two percent of their gross domestic product in defense.
These include, among others, Italy, Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg.
Defense politicians in Berlin are also currently concerned about the deterrence potential of NATO and the Bundeswehr.
This year, Germany will reach the two percent target again for the first time in decades.
A good sign, says Wolfgang Hellmich, defense policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group: "We have all learned from the dramatically changed security situation and have taken the necessary steps, for example by anchoring NATO's two percent target in the budget."
NATO’s deterrence potential: “Steadfast Defender” maneuver is impressive
Of the 100 billion from the special fund for the Bundeswehr, two thirds are now contractually bound, said Hellmich.
In addition, framework agreements have been concluded with the defense industry in order to be able to procure ammunition and other military equipment much more quickly in the future.
At the beginning of the week, the foundation stone for a new Rheinmetall ammunition factory in Lower Saxony was laid, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius were even on site.
“The goal is to become militarily assertive, i.e. 'war-ready', as quickly as possible,” said Hellmich.
He rates NATO's deterrence potential highly; the current “Steadfast Defender” maneuver alone is “impressive.”
In addition, the alliance with the partner countries USA and France has a nuclear protective shield and effective air defense capabilities.
USA “no longer wants to be our protective power unconditionally”
That's exactly where the crux of the matter lies at the moment, says Florian Hahn, defense policy spokesman for the Union parliamentary group.
NATO is still the most potent defense alliance in the world.
But: “This statement explicitly only applies because the USA has been heavily involved in the alliance so far.” There is a question mark as to whether this will still be the case in the future.
Former President Donald Trump recently caused a stir with statements that he would no longer support defaulting alliance partners if he were president.
“Although a lot of campaign noise can be assumed in the last statements from the USA about NATO, it must now be clear to everyone in Europe that the USA can no longer and does not want to be our protecting power unconditionally,” believes Hahn.
My news
Mysterious aircraft disappearance: FSB investigates Russia's aviation authorityread
“If you don’t want us as Bavaria …”: Söder threatens to leave the Federal Republic of Germany – and calls for compulsory military service
When Putin is asked about the Nazi background in Baerbock's family, he hesitates - then he defends her
“Are under pressure”: Habeck is making people sit up and take notice when it comes to electric cars
Survey shock for Putin: population dissatisfied before Russia election read
“Get away, ugh!”: insulting troublemakers Ricarda Read long
The first signs are already emerging: The US House of Representatives is currently blocking further US aid to Ukraine worth around $60 million.
Republican MPs from the right-wing fringe in particular are opposing further US aid.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg issued an urgent warning in Brussels on Thursday: “We are already seeing the effects of the fact that the USA has not yet been able to make a decision.” In particular, a lack of ammunition is gradually causing problems for the Ukrainian armed forces.
CDU expert Florian Hahn believes that, despite new threats on NATO's eastern border, the Biden years were not really used to prepare for a stronger role for Europe in the alliance.
“This could soon take its toll if Putin senses that Europe is not able to defend itself conventionally.”
NATO completely repositioned itself after the start of the Ukraine war
SPD defense expert Hellmich sees it a little differently.
“NATO as a whole has repositioned itself after the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine.
“The eastern flank of the alliance in particular was strengthened and structurally changed,” said Hellmich.
“As a European middle power, Germany is at the center of the ability to relocate material and personnel, especially to the east.”
A lot has also happened on NATO's northern flank.
With Finland and, in the future, Sweden joining NATO, the cards have been reshuffled: “Norway's role as a host nation and transit country has changed,” defense expert Robin Allers from the Norwegian Defense University in Oslo recently told
IPPEN.MEDIA
.
“When Allied troops and material from the USA, Germany or Great Britain arrive by sea in Norway, they will in future be able to sail directly through Sweden, to Finland, the Baltic Sea region and the Baltics.”