NATO will significantly increase the number of forces on high alert to over 300,000 from 40,000 as part of the biggest overhaul of the alliance's defences since the Cold War.

Units deployed across eight eastern and southeastern NATO countries to deter Russia hostilities will rise in size from 1,000-strong battlegroups to brigades, which comprise around 3,000-5,000 troops with more war-fighting equipment in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

With Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine changing the security environment across Europe, the head of the alliance also confirmed that allies will expand troop deployments in NATO countries that sit closest to Russia.

Ukraine is not a member of NATO.

The decisions will be set out at a landmark summit this week in Madrid.

"Together, this constitutes the biggest overhaul of our collective deterrence and defence since the Cold War," Jens Stoltenberg said, in a briefing at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Monday.

Allies had already hardened their defences following Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine in February, but the latest steps are by far the most significant.

"We will transform the NATO Response Force and increase the number of our high readiness forces to well over 300,000," the NATO chief said.

The NATO Response Force - which are kept at varying degrees of readiness to mobilise, from two days' notice to six months - is currently around 40,000 soldiers, sailors and air personnel.

Sky News was first to report the increase in forces last week before specific numbers were known.

Mr Stoltenberg also confirmed the strengthening of units deployed across eight eastern and southeastern NATO countries to deter Russia hostilities. They will rise in size from 1,000-strong battlegroups to brigades, which comprise around 3,000-5,000 troops.

The desire is for NATO to have sufficient forces on the ground to defeat any attempt at an invasion.

This is a fundamental shift from a policy known as a "tripwire" that was adopted after Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014, with the annexation of Crimea.

Back then, allies agreed to set up four missions in the Baltic states and Poland, each with around 1,000 troops. If Russia chose to invade, these battlegroups would not be able to stop the attack but would trigger a "tripwire", prompting reinforcements to rush in.

However, the events in Ukraine, where Russian forces have wreaked carnage in areas they have occupied, means allies believe they need to deny any invading force from having the ability to take any ground from day one of an attack.

One defence minister has said that there cannot be a "Bucha on NATO soil" - a reference to the town of Bucha, outside Kyiv, where Russian forces are accused of mass murder, torture and rape of Ukrainian civilians.

Several long-planned NATO exercises involving member countries including the UK, and partners, have been taking place over the last few months in many of the nations where troops are to be boosted.

As part of the upgraded defence plans, military personnel tasked with defending specific NATO allies will not all need to be stationed on the ground, but could be based in their home country and only deploy forward when needed.

"These troops will exercise together with home defence forces," Mr Stoltenberg said.

"And they will become familiar with local terrain, facilities, and our new pre-positioned stocks. So that they can respond smoothly and swiftly to any emergency."

The changes will need increased investment, with allies increasing defence spending for the eighth consecutive year - an increase of $350bn since 2014.

As reported by Sky News last week, the NATO chief outlined new support that allies will collectively pledge to give Ukraine, including anti-drone systems and providing Ukrainian forces with secure communication.

In a disappointment for most allies, though, there has been no breakthrough yet on overcoming opposition from Turkey to a historic bid by previously neutral Sweden and Finland to join NATO - in the ultimate snub to Mr Putin and win for the allies.

The NATO chief said he would be talking to the Turkish prime minister and had already spoken with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

He said allies "aim to make progress on Finland and Sweden's historic applications for NATO membership, while ensuring the security concerns of all allies are addressed".

https://news.sky.com/story/nato-to-significantly-increase-forces-on-high-alert-to-over-300-000-from-40-000-amid-russia-threonine

NaijaRoyalty:
Hmm, the ongoing war in Ukraine is taking a serious toll on Nigeria's economy and una wan start another one

realstars:
Cold world war three is 'ticking foward.

Ckonnet:


It's no longer cold,this London hot already. Initially I was thinking putin was smart but he disappointed me falling into this obvious trap. Russia will never be the same.

Chinjo2:
All these months they kept quiet so that Russia can exhaust their ammo. Now they are ready to hit. WW3

shaggy007:


Except that Russia knew their plans all along.

Why do you think the war was prolonged?

Russia used less ammo.

They even used outdated ammo because the US wanted to study their weapons.

But they have forgotten that Russia is many steps ahead.

Karemarealty288:


It's like you are Putin's quartermaster?

Chinjo2:
All these months they kept quiet so that Russia can exhaust their ammo. Now they are ready to hit. WW3

Chinjo2:
All these months they kept quiet so that Russia can exhaust their ammo. Now they are ready to hit. WW3

Karemarealty288:


It's like you are Putin's quartermaster?

NaijaRoyalty:
Hmm, the ongoing war in Ukraine is taking a serious toll on Nigeria's economy and una wan start another one

PERVENCHE:


I dey tell you!
These westerners are pure smart evil. They are playing this war like a chess game. 'Poo'thing (mind the pun) said he attacked Ukraine because he wants less nato close to his boarders. What has he gotten instead? More NATO circling his Russia; Currently, five partner countries have declared their aspirations to NATO membership: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Georgia, Sweden and ...Oga...Ukraine. majority of these guys are stone throw neigbours with Russia. Article 10 was asleep until poo'thing invaded and the way it is going...Taiwan may soon join NATO (that was on a lighter note)

Back to the chess game analysis,
Yes! Poo'thing is winning the fight but is losing the war. Donbas region is the soldiers west is willing to sacrifice in order to trap the queen. Moscow and st Pittsburg.

West is truly the definition of evil
Smart evil in the true sense of the word

Zoharariel:


Exhaust which Ammo? That means you’re confusing Mother Russia with Iraq or Afghanistan.

Did you know that the square in Moscow where the Amerikan Embassy is located has been renamed?

Yes, you guessed right! It is now called “Donetsk People’s Republic Square” (You can google it).

I did not know that my only begotten son “Vladimirovich Putin” is very humorous.

The belligerent bastards are beginning to realize the boomerang effect of their useless sanctions on Mother Russia.

With the Russian Ruble now trading at 53 Rubles to the Amerikan Dollar, it’s the Dollar thats on suicide watch.

Unfortunately, the Empire of Lies and her vassals will not accept to see their “way of life” being destroyed by a new model. They will prefer burn the entire planet instead of losing their privileges.

“The next war will be between Russia and Fascism, except that Fascism will be called Democracy.” — Fidel Castro

KaluwisxPRO:
US need to stay away from Europe’s problem.

Putin is a careless mad dog that needs to be put down, but definitely not by the U.S.

ivandragon:
Hmm...

As much as NATO needs to prepare for the Russian Bear, it also needs to keep an Eagle eye out for the Chinese...

PERVENCHE:


They already have China arrested. Japan, Australia have a military alliance since 6th january this year and are already gearing up.

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Indo-Pacific/Japan-and-Australia-strengthen-quasi-alliance-with-eye-on-China&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiigIq4yM_4AhUGLBoKHYwKCwIQFnoECAIQAg&usg=AOvVaw3deNVLDrN93FeKC2GNaj5j

You should hear the tone of Japan at the G7 meeting on Sunday. Taiwan will be bait.

The major inference now is India. India needs Russia's oil like oxygen and hates Ukraine for arming Pakistan. If not...China for be like bleeding human in a shark invested water.

Only few countries in Africa hold any influence outside the continent. South Africa is pro Russia because of their BRICS squad

Egypt is pro west because their economy is tired to Saudi funding and Saudi is pro USA under crown prince MBS

Nigeria is a mess no influence these days. Though they followed common wealth and voted against Russia invasion

The rest of Africa is still under the Berlin conference if you know what I mean.