Germany has announced that the Bundeswehr will provide 15,000 additional fighters for NATO’s 300,000 strong Rapid Reaction Force, which can be deployed and ready to fight in just 10 days after a crisis. NATO’s current rapid reaction force is only 40,000 strong, but after the Russian aggression, the alliance has decided to significantly increase its strength, especially on the eastern flank.
A spokesman for the German Defense Ministry told SPIEGEL that the German army will deploy two combat brigades, 65 fighter jets and transport aircraft, 20 warships and elite “Kommando Spezialkräfte” or German special commando units.
Germany has cited the Russian threat as the reason for expanding NATO’s rapid reaction force.
The spokesman said: “Not least in view of Russia’s willingness to use force, we need armed forces that are more readily available on a regional basis.”
Germany is likely to station the new troops on the eastern flank, particularly in Lithuania, where Germany is said to be stationing as many as 3,500 troops.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had previously announced that Germany would spend “an average of 70 to 80 billion euros a year on defense in the coming years”.
The reported goal is to upgrade the German army to the largest conventional army in Europe.
Germany has begun to increase its defense spending and is even trying to change its laws to make it easier to export vital weapons to Ukraine.
Tensions are high as NATO leaders meet in Madrid, eager to show the alliance’s support for Ukraine. Russia likely has its eyes on NATO’s eastern border, where much of the new rapid reaction force will be based.
It is thought that one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war goals was to divide the West, and NATO in particular, over the issue of the war in Ukraine, but it seems he has largely failed in that goal.
However, the alliance’s determination seems stronger than ever.
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In fact, the only countries reportedly criticizing the new NATO initiatives are the eastern members, especially the Baltic states, who want even more troops permanently stationed there.
At NATO’s Madrid summit today, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed Russian aggression and reaffirmed the alliance’s commitment to Ukraine.
He said: “President Putin’s war against Ukraine has disrupted peace in Europe. And it has caused the biggest security crisis in Europe since World War II.
“NATO has responded with strength and unity.”
He added: “Allies will continue to provide major military and financial assistance, and today leaders agreed to strengthen our support by agreeing a comprehensive aid package for Ukraine.
“This includes secure communications, fuel, medical supplies and body armor. Equipment to counter mines and chemical and biological threats.”
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He also confirmed at the press conference that NATO would significantly increase its strength and preparedness.
He said: “Today NATO leaders decided on a fundamental shift in our defense and deterrence to respond to a new security reality. We will strengthen our forward defence. We will strengthen our battlegroups in the eastern part of the Alliance, up to the brigade level.
“We will transform the NATO Response Force and increase the number of high-preparedness troops to over 300,000.”
The news comes as Finland and Sweden have been formally invited to join the alliance. Finland shares a border of about 800 miles with Russia and is said to more than double NATO’s border with the country.
Finland and Sweden both have capable armies that are already largely integrated into the alliance, adding to NATO’s capabilities.
Additional reporting by Monika Pallenberg