NATO Pushes Europe to Expand Air Defense Amid Russian Threats

NATO is calling on its European member states to quintuple ground-based air defense systems, citing increasing concerns over Russian aggression. This proposal will take center stage at the defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels this week. While the collective goal applies to European NATO nations, individual national targets will vary. Sources speaking to Bloomberg on condition of anonymity noted that a timeline for implementation has not yet been established.

This initiative reflects NATO’s efforts to address a significant gap in its defense posture, complementing broader European Union plans to enhance defense infrastructure—a priority since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

A senior European military official emphasized that NATO’s current systems are inadequate to counter advanced threats, including drones, cruise missiles, and modern aircraft. “NATO members urgently need these systems,” the official said, attributing the shortfall to decades of diminished air defense capabilities following a post-Cold War pivot toward the Middle East and North Africa.

The push for expanded air defenses aligns with NATO’s broader goals to bolster arms stockpiles and reduce reliance on US military support. Defense ministers are expected to approve new commitments in Brussels ahead of the NATO leaders’ summit in The Hague on June 24–25. These measures represent NATO’s most significant weapons buildup in decades.

NATO’s call for European rearmament comes amid evolving US defense policies. On March 4, President Donald Trump announced the suspension of US military aid to Ukraine. In response, European Union leaders launched  “ReArm Europe,” an US$840 billion initiative to strengthen collective defense capabilities.

“We are in an era of rearmament,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, announcing that the plan would promote joint procurement, reduce fragmentation, and provide ongoing support to Ukraine through pooled EU resources. She added that EU nations could exceed budgetary rules for defense spending and access approximately US$158 billion in loans for joint military purchases. “This will lower costs, enhance interoperability, and reinforce Europe’s defense industrial base,” she said. The plan will be a key agenda item at the upcoming EU leaders’ summit.“This is a pivotal moment for Europe,” von der Leyen stated. “And we are ready to step up.”

On May 27, the European Union formally approved the SAFE (Security Action For Europe) regulation, a €150 billion (US$170 billion) measure to increase defense spending across the bloc. Initially proposed by the European Commission in March, the regulation responds to member states’ demands for financial and political support to meet new NATO defense goals and address reduced US involvement in Ukraine.

SAFE emphasizes immediate aid for EU member states, citing the long lead times required to scale up defense manufacturing. To expedite procurement, the EU invoked its “escape clause,” allowing military spending to bypass standard budget deficit restrictions. Approved by EU ambassadors on May 21, the regulation saw unanimous support except for Hungary’s dissent.

Defense spending has become a cornerstone of NATO’s long-term strategy. Members, guided by US recommendations, are aligning around a spending target of 5% of GDP—comprising 3.5% for core military needs and 1.5% for infrastructure, cybersecurity, and civil readiness.

“We are not at war, but we are not at peace either,” said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. “Our focus remains on strengthening deterrence and defense forces to safeguard our future.”