Faced with the threat posed by Russia, NATO countries want to stockpile more ammunition that could be decisive for the war in the future. At a meeting in Brussels on Friday, defense ministers approved significantly higher targets, as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg later announced.
The Norwegian cited 155mm artillery shells as an example of crucial ammunition for the war, for which a joint procurement program is already under way. In addition, missiles for air defense systems and precision guided missiles, for example, are accounted for in this category in the alliance.
Improve protection of pipelines and data cables at sea
Concerned about Russian attacks, NATO also wants to improve the protection of pipelines and data cables in the seas. Member state defense ministers have approved plans for a “Maritime Center for the Security of Critical Underwater Infrastructure”, as announced by Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
It will be installed at NATO Naval Headquarters in Northwood, near London, and will, among other things, create a new surveillance system. It will be responsible for parts of the Atlantic, as well as areas in the North Sea, Baltic Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea.
Fear of Russian attack on undersea cables
According to former three-star German general Hans-Werner Wiermann, the background to the plans is information that Russian ships have mapped critical infrastructure in the alliance area. He expressed concern that Russia could attack undersea cables to paralyze public life. He did not say when the new team will be operational and how big it will be. However, he stressed that construction preparations must now start immediately.
Nord Stream 1 and 2 saboteur still unknown
More recently, NATO had already created a coordination cell in Brussels to better protect pipelines and other critical infrastructure. It was created in response to alleged acts of sabotage against the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines. It is still unclear who is behind it.
There are traces that point to possible perpetrators from Ukraine. According to experts, the sabotage could also have been a so-called false flag operation by Russia. This raises the possibility that the perpetrators may have intentionally left false trails that point to other perpetrators.