Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine has underlined the importance of air defense.
Olli-Pekka Sulasma,
Leonard Wilhelmus
NATO has only five percent of the air defense needed to defend the eastern edge, say diplomatic sources Financial Times (FT) magazine.
The assessment has been made by the Defense Association itself as part of the defense plans made last year.
According to it, the member states are currently able to supply less than five percent of the air defense needs to protect Eastern and Central Europe against a large-scale attack.
Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine has underlined the importance of air defense. The drones used in the war have also made it visible that airstrikes can be carried out with even small resources.
– Long-range airstrikes are no longer just the ability of the superpowers, a NATO official told FT.
NATO’s foreign ministers are meeting in Prague on Thursday to prepare for the defense alliance’s summit in July, where Europe’s defense capability is a key topic.
Last week, Greece and Poland asked the European Commission for help in developing common European air defense. Chairman of the Commission Ursula von Der Leyen expressed support for the proposal.
Germany, on the other hand, launched the “European Sky Shield” project last year to develop air defense. A total of 15 countries participate in it, including Finland. However, France has criticized the project and made a competing proposal to strengthen air defenses.