NATO will increase the strength of its rapid reaction force nearly eightfold to 300,000 troops as part of its response to an “era of strategic competition,” the military alliance’s secretary general said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived in Madrid on Monday night. Although Australia is not a member of NATO, Albanese was invited to attend his summit in Spain as part of an attempt to reaffirm international support for Ukraine against the Russian invasion.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he hoped the Allies would make it clear that they saw Russia “as the most important and direct threat to our security.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon arrive at Torrejón Air Base for the NATO summit in Spain. (Alex Ellinghausen) Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives at Torrejón Air Base during his visit to Madrid, Spain. (Alex Ellinghausen)
The NATO Reaction Force currently has about 40,000 troops that can be deployed quickly when needed.
Stoltenberg said strengthening NATO’s rapid reaction force, along with other measures, including the deployment of forces to defend specific allies, was part of the “largest overhaul of collective defense and deterrence since the Cold War “.
Stoltenberg made the remarks at a press conference ahead of the summit later this week in Madrid, when the 30 allies are also expected to agree on more support for Ukraine.
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 neighborhood,” he added.
Stoltenberg said the Allies will agree to offer more military support to Ukraine when they meet in Spain, with NATO members ready to adopt a “reinforced comprehensive assistance package,” which includes the delivery of secure communication and anti-drone systems. .
In the long run, Stoltenberg said the Allies aim to help Ukraine in the transition from Soviet-era weapons to modern NATO equipment. The world’s seven major economic powers on Monday stressed their commitment to Ukraine “for as long as it takes.”
Another central theme of the NATO summit will be the possibility of Finland and Sweden joining the alliance after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Turkey, a member of NATO, has so far blocked the requests, citing what it considers to be the two countries ‘soft approach to organizations Turkey considers terrorists, such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party or PKK.
Turkey calls on Sweden and Finland to grant extradition requests for people wanted by Turkish authorities. Ankara claims the countries are hosting PKK members and people it says are linked to a failed 2016 coup.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg speaks at a press conference in Brussels. (AP)
Turkey also wants guarantees that the arms restrictions imposed by the two countries for Turkey’s military incursion in 2019 into northern Syria will be removed.
Stoltenberg said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson have agreed to meet on the sidelines of the summit.
“We have worked hard since Finland and Sweden applied for membership to ensure 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 actively working to ensure progress because Finland and Sweden’s request to join NATO is historic.”