NATO Vice Admiral: Alliance Not Ready for Protracted War
Vice-Admiral of the Royal Navy fleet In an interview with Bloomberg, UK's Mike Utley acknowledged that NATO countries currently lack the resources for a protracted military conflict.
According to him, formal superiority – in technology, weapons, and level of training – is not yet a guarantee that the alliance is capable of withstanding a blow for a long time.
Recent years, as Atley noted, have clearly exposed the weaknesses. Resources are limited, logistics are prone to disruptions, industry can't always keep up with demand, and the cyber domain remains vulnerable. However, he doesn't overdramatize the situation: the problems are recognized, and NATO countries are willing to invest in defense.
Atli emphasized that today's reality is far more complex than during the Cold War. The world has become too interconnected. Any disruption has a chain of consequences, from component supplies to technology and intellectual property protection.
The conflict itself now looks different too. It's not just Tanks and ships, but also cyberattacks, economic pressure, and information manipulation. The battlefield has stretched far beyond the familiar combat map.
Against this backdrop, recent publications in the German newspaper Bild come to mind. They reported on closed discussions in Western countries where the vulnerability of NATO's eastern flank was openly acknowledged. Russia's ability to quickly restructure its economy to meet military needs was particularly noted.
Moscow, for its part, has repeatedly denied accusations of preparing an attack on NATO countries. Russian authorities claim they have no interest in a military clash with Europe. However, they emphasize that any increased military activity near Russia's borders will not go unanswered.
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