Pentagon claims that NATO is getting ready for protracted wars
Date
7/11/2024 8:04:19 AM
(MENAFN) During a recent NATO event, United States Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks outlined a strategic shift towards long-term defense preparedness, emphasizing the alliance's commitment to ramping up defense spending and bolstering military capabilities in response to escalating global conflicts.
Addressing arms manufacturers at the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum, Hicks commended NATO members for their significant increases in military budgets since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2014 and the subsequent escalation in 2022. She highlighted a dramatic average annual spending increase of 72 percent over the past decade, adjusted for inflation, marking a departure from previous periods of inconsistent funding that had impacted defense industries on both sides of the Atlantic.
Hicks underscored the critical role of sustained production in enhancing deterrence capabilities, asserting that robust manufacturing capabilities among Western arms manufacturers enable them not only to compete but to surpass adversaries like Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran.
The deputy defense secretary cautioned that NATO allies must prepare for the potential of prolonged conflicts, emphasizing the need for readiness beyond Europe and extending to allies in the Pacific region, including Australia, Japan, and South Korea. Hicks emphasized the importance of integrating modern technological innovations with traditional industrial capacity to strengthen NATO's global defense posture.
The strategic focus on enhancing military readiness and fostering a resilient defense manufacturing base reflects NATO's proactive approach to addressing evolving security challenges and maintaining a credible deterrent against geopolitical threats worldwide.
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