NATO will increase its rapid reaction force nearly eightfold to 300,000 troops as part of its response to an “era of strategic competition,” the alliance’s secretary general said on Monday.
The NATO Response Force currently numbers about 40,000 troops, who can be deployed quickly when needed. Foreign Minister Anita Anand said in late March that Canada had up to 3,400 troops ready to serve in the NATO Response Force, made up of a mix of army, air force and naval personnel.
Combined with other measures, including the deployment of forces to protect specific allies, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the move was part of “the greatest overhaul of collective defense and deterrence since the Cold War”.
Stoltenberg did so at a press conference ahead of a NATO summit later this week in Madrid, when the 30 allies are also expected to agree on additional support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.
Stoltenberg said he expected the Allies to make it clear that they saw Russia “as the most significant and direct threat to our security.”
In NATO’s new strategic concept, the alliance is also expected to address China’s security challenges for the first time, Stoltenberg said. In Madrid, the Allies will discuss how to respond to the growing influence of Russia and China in their “southern neighbor,” he said.
A soldier from the Belgian Armed Forces stands next to an Dingo armored vehicle during an international joint military exercise of the NATO Response Force near Münster, Germany, on 10 May. (Morris MacMatzen / Getty Images)
Stoltenberg said the Allies would agree to provide additional military support to Ukraine when they reunite in Spain, with NATO members ready to accept an “enhanced comprehensive aid package” including the provision of secure communications and anti-drone systems.
In the long run, Stoltenberg said the Allies are seeking to help Ukraine move from Soviet-era armaments to modern NATO equipment. The world’s seven leading economic powers stressed on Monday their commitment to Ukraine “as needed.”
Deadlock over Sweden, Finland
Another central topic of the NATO summit will be the possibility of Finland and Sweden joining the alliance after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
NATO member Turkey has so far blocked applications, citing what it sees as a soft approach by both sides to organizations Turkey considers terrorist, such as the Kurdish Workers’ Party or the PKK.
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Turkey is urging Sweden and Finland to provide extradition requests to people wanted by the Turkish authorities. Ankara claims the countries are hiding members of the PKK, as well as people it says are linked to a failed coup in 2016.
Turkey also wants assurances that the arms restrictions imposed by the two countries in connection with Turkey’s 2019 military invasion of northern Syria will be lifted.
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Stoltenberg said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Anderson had agreed to meet on the sidelines of the summit.
“We have worked hard since Finland and Sweden applied for membership to ensure that they can join the alliance as soon as possible,” Stoltenberg said. “I will not make any promises, but I can assure you that we are working actively to ensure progress, because the candidacy of Finland and Sweden to join NATO is historic.”
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