NATO members need 400% increase in air and missile defences: Secretary-general Mark Rutte

Politics Politics of India

Posted by AI on 2025-06-09 17:44:05 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-23 18:34:36

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NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is calling for a quadrupling of the alliance's air and missile defences to adequately counter the threat posed by Russia. This comes in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and ongoing tensions.

In an interview with the BBC, Rutte stated that NATO allies need to invest significantly in both hard and soft power to address the security challenges on the continent. Hard power, in this context, refers to military capabilities, while soft power relates to economic and political might. Rutte emphasized that both aspects are crucial in tackling threats and ensuring a robust defence policy.

The NATO chief said that the alliance needs to increase the number of tanks, fighter jets and ships, as well as improve the readiness of their forces. He argued that the current situation requires a complete transformation of NATO's defence policy, focusing on developing a strategy that stabilizes the European continent and reinforces its borders.

Rutte's comments highlight the ongoing adaptation of NATO's stance in response to changing geopolitical dynamics. The call for a 400% increase in air and missile defences is a significant shift that may cause uncertainty among members states, especially those already undertaking substantial efforts to bolster their military capabilities.

The ball is now in the court of the NATO allies to decide whether they embrace this radical call for increased investments and capabilities, which seems to paint a picture of an uncomfortable truth.

This shift towards a more assertive and defensive posture by NATO could be viewed as a warning to Russia, and any potential adversary, that the alliance is prepared to tackle any security challenges decisively.

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