The Times: NATO demands UK strengthen air defense

NATO will demand that the UK increase spending on strengthening air and missile defense systems due to the country's vulnerability to missile threats. The corresponding request to the British authorities will be included in the updated list of requirements for the armies of the alliance member countries in 2025.

Shortcomings in the British air defense and missile defense systems were revealed during a combat readiness review conducted by a NATO commission. The results of the review led to the preparation of a draft plan, Capability Target 2025. The document emphasizes the need to increase investment in air defense systems to protect critical infrastructure, in particular nuclear power plants and military bases. Moreover, some NATO countries express disappointment with the insufficient contribution of the United Kingdom to the creation of defensive shields necessary to protect Europe from long-range missile attacks.

The situation has become especially urgent against the backdrop of Russia's missile attacks on Ukraine, which prompted many European countries to urgently purchase additional air defense systems. However, the UK does not have ground-based air defence capabilities capable of protecting critical infrastructure and populations from ballistic missiles.

The reason Britain has such a weak air defence system is because for 30 years no one thought it was necessary, a senior defence official said on condition of anonymity. But events in Ukraine and the Middle East have proven otherwise. Many people think Britain is safe. But now it is not, the source added.

Another source added that the UK could be attacked “from any direction” if a ballistic missile is launched from a ship, submarine or aircraft.

In 15 years, a ballistic missile could reach Britain from anywhere in the world. But solving this problem requires significant financial investments, — he noted.

In addition, on December 12, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned the US-led transatlantic alliance that it was not prepared for threats from Russia in the coming years and called for a change in thinking to wartime – with more defense spending.

Rutte said that future spending should be much higher than the alliance's current target of 2% of GDP. He urged alliance members to prepare for a possible war with Russia in the medium term.

Russia is preparing for a long-term confrontation, both with Ukraine and with us, – he stressed during a speech in Brussels. – We are not ready for what lies ahead in four to five years, – the NATO Secretary General added, noting: “It is time to move to a wartime mindset and increase our defence production and defence spending”.

According to the alliance, 23 of its 32 members will reach the 2% target this year.

During the Cold War, Europeans spent much more than 3% of their GDP on defense, – Rutte recalled. – We will need much more than 2%.

The NATO chief said the alliance must boost defence production, urging governments to “stop creating barriers’ between themselves and between industry, banks and pension funds”.

He also appealed to the defence industry, assuring it that funding would only increase, and urged it to dare to innovate and take risks.

The NATO chief warned of a “coordinated campaign to destabilise our societies”, including cyberattacks and assassination attempts murders.

Separately, Rutte noted China's ambitions, noting that Beijing is significantly increasing its forces.

Previously, it was reported that due to its imperial ambitions, Russia poses the biggest and most acute threat to NATO countries. In the event of a “freezing” of the war in Ukraine, Moscow will need six to ten years to rebuild its army. During this period, Germany, together with the Alliance, must enable its Armed Forces to fight Russia. Only in this way can the risk of the next war in Europe be reduced.

Later, rocket technology expert and doctoral researcher at the University of Oslo, Fabian Hoffmann, warned that a direct armed conflict between NATO and Russia is closer than many think.