Category Archives: NATO

Finlands air force has spotted increased activity over the Baltic Sea as a flock of Russian military jets, including supersonic, long-range supersonic Tu-160 bombers, were seen flying near the Gulf of Finland, the military branch announced on Twitter.

Finnish jets scrambled between Wednesday and Thursday to identify and photograph a swarm of aircraft flying in international space andnearing sovereign Finnish skies.

Finnish jets spotted and photographed a handful of Russian fighter jets and bombers, namely Ilyushin Il-22, Sukhoi Su-24, Sukhoi Su-27, Sukhoi Su-34 and Tupolev Tu-160 aircraft, flying through the Gulf of Finland, a statement by the Finnish air force said. It did not give exact numbers of the aircraft encountered.

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The jets soon left the gulf, but instead of turning back, several Tu-160 bombers headed in a westward direction, prompting escorts from Swedish air force jets, and Danish ones too, Russias Ministry of Defense announced via state news agency Itar-Tass.

Finland and Sweden are nonaligned statesdespite cooperating with NATO in some regional exercises. Denmark is a member of the alliance, which has endured a tense relationship with Russia since the annexation of Ukraine in 2014, which NATO has strongly objected to.

Read more: Why is Russia flying nuclear-capable bombers near Alaska?

The Russian ministry said on Thursday that Su-27 fighter jets and A-50 aircraft accompanied its bombers, nicknamed "Blackjack" by NATO, in a move that Moscow said was not unusual.

According to plan, long-range pilots regularly carry out flights over neutral waters of the Atlantic, Arctic, Black Seaand Pacific Ocean, the statement read. All flights go ahead with strict adherence to international regulation on using airspace above neutral waterswithout violating borders of other states.

The Baltic Sea has recently undergone several periods of high military trafficon NATO and Russias side, with Moscow set to hold mass drills in the regionalongside ally Belarusin September. Lithuania, a NATO ally bordering both countries, has accused Moscow of practicing warfare with the alliance through the drill.

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Russian Bombers in Baltic Tailed By NATO, Finnish and Swedish Jets - Newsweek

The belief that NATO would lose a conventional conflict did nothing to contradict the notion that NATO could play a valuable role in deterring war. For one, NATO could certainly make things more difficult for the Soviet Union; overwhelming combined British-German-American forces would prove far more costly than defeating a West Germany that stood alone. Moreover, by triggering an expansion of the war NATO could create costs for the Soviets in other parts of the world. Overwhelming NATO superiority at sea and in long-rangeairpowerwould prove devastating for Soviet interests outside of Eurasia, even if the Soviets prevailed on the Central Front.

Arecent RANDwargameon a potential Russian offensive into theBalticsbrought talk of a new Cold War into sharp focus. The game made clear that NATO would struggle to prevent Russian forces from occupying theBalticsif it relied on the conventional forces now available.

Thesewargameshave great value in demonstrating tactical and operational reality, which then informs broader strategic thinking. In this case, however,the headlines generatedby the game have obscured more about the NATO-Russian relationship than they have revealed. In short, the NATO deterrent promise has never revolved around a commitment to defeat Soviet/Russian forces on NATOs borders. Instead, NATO has backed its political commitment with the threat to broaden any conflict beyond the war that the Soviets wanted to fight. Today, as in 1949, NATO offers deterrence through the promise of escalation.

The Early Years

Lets be utterly clear on this point; from the creation of NATO until the1970s, Western military planners expected the Warsaw Pact to easily win a conventional war in Europe. Conventionalwarfightingplans by the major NATO powers often amounted, almost literally, to efforts to reach the English Channel just ahead of the tanks of the Red Army. NATO expected to liberally use tactical nuclear weapons to slow the Soviet advance, an action which would inevitably invite Soviet response (the Soviets also prepared for this dynamic).

The belief that NATO would lose a conventional conflict did nothing to contradict the notion that NATO could play a valuable role in deterring war. For one, NATO could certainly make things more difficult for the Soviet Union; overwhelming combined British-German-American forces would prove far more costly than defeating a West Germany that stood alone. Moreover, by triggering an expansion of the war NATO could create costs for the Soviets in other parts of the world. Overwhelming NATO superiority at sea and in long-rangeairpowerwould prove devastating for Soviet interests outside of Eurasia, even if the Soviets prevailed on the Central Front.

Most importantly, the threat that France, Britain and the United States would launch strategic nuclear strikes on the Soviet Union in response to a successful conventional assault was supposed to give Moscow pause. Even if an American President refused to exchange Berlin for New York, the Soviets would have to worry about the rest of NATOs nuclear deterrent.

Active Defense/AirLandBattle

Theexpectation that NATO could defeatthe Warsaw Pact in battle only emerged after the Yom Kippur War. In that conflict, precision-guided conventional munitions exacted such a toll on advancing forces (both in theGolanand in Sinai) that American military planners began to believe that they could stop a Soviet attack. Drawn up in defensive positions that would channel oncoming Red Army armor into large kill zones, NATO forces could sufficiently blunt and disrupt a Soviet advance, and prevent the collapse of positions within Germany. The defense would buy time for NATO to transit additional forces and equipment from the United States to Europe, to carry out in depth attacks against Warsaw Pact logistical and communications centers in Eastern Europe, and to attack Soviet interests in the rest of the world.

After 1982,AirLandBattle would return maneuver to the battlefield, as American commanders grew more confident of their ability to defeat the Red Army in a fluid engagement. Cooperation between the Army and the Air Force would allow attacks all along the depth of the Soviet position, turning the formidable Red Army (and its Eastern European allies) into a chaotic mess. At the same time, the U.S. Navy prepared to attack directly into the Soviet periphery withairstrikesand amphibious assaults, as well as into the cherished bastions of the Soviet boomer fleet. None of this depended on the protection of any given piece of NATO territory; planners accepted that the Soviets could make at least some gains at the beginning of any plausible war scenario.

In this context, news that Russia could win a localized conventional conflict against small NATO nations on its border becomes rather less alarming than it sounds at first blush. Apart from (perhaps) a brief window of vulnerability in the1990s, Russia has always had the capacity to threaten NATO with conventional force. Indeed, NATO did not even begin to plan for the conventional defense of theBalticsuntil well after their accession, on the belief that the faith and credit of the alliance, and in particular its ability to retaliate against Soviet interests in the rest of Europe, would prove a sufficient deterrent.

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Until the 1970s, NATO Thought It Would Lose a Conventional War With Russia - The National Interest Online (blog)

BRUSSELSWhile the American military isforging ahead with a new helicopter replacement program, Europe islagging behind in exploiting the potential of its helicopter sector, according to the European Helicopter Association,the voice of the majority of helicopter operators in Europe.

The U.S. Army is working toward its Future Vertical Lift, and this initiative is well underway, with the first prototypes already built for the future helo.

In an effort to keep pace with the U.S., NATO set up a group of experts to run a two-year program meant to identify, analyze, assess and document advanced rotorcraft technologies.

The Industrial Advisory Group, or NIAGa high-level consultative and advisory body of senior industrialists from NATO member countriesis due to deliver its conclusions next year.

But what can be expected fromthis ambitiousplan?

A NATO official told Defense News: Many allies are due to refurbish or retire their current helicopter fleets in the 2025-2030 time frame. As the cost of technology rises, nations are consolidating the number of different aircraft types. Government- and industry-funded research shows that flight performance can be increased. Compound helicopter and tiltrotor systems show an increased range and speed compared to traditional helicopters.

"As new operational requirements are introduced, allies will need to ensure that new systems are interoperable with the legacy fleet.

This work is informed through direct interaction with the NATO Industrial Advisory Group, which has also initiated a study group, commissioned by the Conference of National Armaments Directors. Their recommendations are expected in the spring of 2018," the official added.

In supporting the next-generation rotorcraft road map, the advisory group will, according to NATO,examine configuration changes that provide a step change in range, speed, endurance and payload combined.

The aim is to ensureby the mid-2020s, when partner nations decide on their future platform requirements, thatthere has been sufficient knowledge sharing and capability awareness to develop optimal configuration across all platforms and missions.

As systems become more complex, consideration at the design stage becomes increasingly important. This requires an early identification of clear requirements with options set out that enable forces to choose the optimal solution for their mission requirements,"a source at NATO offered.The future operating environment requires the development of a new vertical lift platform unencumbered by the restrictions of traditionally designed rotorcraft, meaning the new platforms will need to perform unfettered by the limited physical perspectives of existing designs.

NIAG has reportedly concluded that a single main rotor is not the future. However, the future could be coaxial; or compounded with pusher props; or fans; or propellers; or advanced tilt rotorswhichever will deliver optimal configuration for future missions.

The recent use of rotary assets during operations has identified the need for each platform to provide a multitude of capabilities for each individual mission. Original platform requirements have often been disregarded in order to achieve mission success on the modern battlefield.

Jaime Arque, chair of theEuropean Helicopter Association, says he is concerned at the lack of interest at the European Union level regarding the exploitation of helicopter operations and their integration into the intra-EU connectivity.

The sole attention to commercial airline activity shows that the rotocraft industry has not been considered. Our sector employs over 100,000 people and helicopter operations have transformed many areas of our lives," Arque said.Current U.S. modes of operations highlight the need for strong connectivity between rotorcraft and other means of transport.

Dan Bailey, a NATO program director and chair of itsfuture rotorcraft capability team, is expected to provide an update on the alliance's next rotary fleet when he addresses "Combat Helicopter 2017," an international gathering for armed forces and industry, running from Oct. 17-19 in Krakow, Poland.

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NATO's future helicopter: The alliance's strategy to modernizing its rotorcraft capability - DefenseNews.com

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Surrounded by little hands and waving flags from countries all over the world, Lieutenant Colonel Jens Assum was one of nine NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) members who visited Holland Elementary School on Wednesday.

Assum, a Danish officer, and eight other members of NATOs ACT were able to reach nearly 300 students in grades 1 through 4 by giving cultural presentations.

Students met staff members from all over the world and learned about cultures different from their own.

Lieutenant CommanderMario Bobeth andMaster Sergeant Christopher Crowley, both from Germany, talked to the children about European currency in Germany, France, Spain and other countries.

This cultural presentation marks the last school visit for NATO ACT, and included officers and other staff members fromAlbania, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Latvia, Portugal and Romania.

The visit came at the request of Holland Elementary Schools principal, Dr. Callie Richardson, whosaw NATOs close proximity as a way to provide his students with an enriching multi-national experience.

We see NATO ACT as a unique cultural opportunity for the students, Richardson said. Many people dont even realize that we have people from 28 NATO countries literally serving in our back yards, and they enjoy sharing their culture with the community.

NATO ACT plays an active role in the Hampton Roads community by sharing aspects of their culture and finding ways to help others better understand how NATO helps preserve peace and security.

Each year, NATO ACT hosts the Model NATO Challenge for high school students, which is a scholarship competition where 28 students participate in a mock global crisis simulation and confront issues facing NATO today.

This years challenge was held in March. Student diplomats discussed the Syrian civil war crisis and whether it was an issue that needed to be discussed or not, what actions needed to be taken, and voted on what actions they thought should be put into effect.

To learn more about NATO ACT, visit http://www.act.nato.int/. To learn more about the Model NATO Challenge, visithttp://norfolknatofestival.org/.

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NATO staff members teach VB students about different cultures - WAVY-TV

A House Republican lawmaker said Thursday that some members of the NATO alliance are still dependent on Russia for military equipment for their air and ground forces, which is makes it harder for the U.S. to count on them as allies.

"We have not weaned them off," Rep. Paul Cook, a retired Marine Corps colonel, said of those countries during a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing.

The California Republican said the use of "Soviet-style" equipment is a complicating factor for U.S. policy. It leaves the eastern European NATO allies vulnerable to Russian aggression, in addition to complicating their efforts to fulfill President Trump's demand that they increase military spending.

"They still have to go back to the new Russia for those things that they have [had] for years and until they become a total member of NATO in terms of our military equipment and everything else, I think it diminishes their capability as a true ally," Cook told Pentagon and State Department officials during the hearing.

Cook urged the Trump administration to sell eastern European allies American military equipment that can replace the Russian weapons systems. "It doesn't seem like a big priority, and yet, countries there, they've been with us and everything else, but we expect them to come to the fight when and if the Russians come across," he said.

The allies have to want to make such deals, though. "I am seeing on my travels a desire to move away from Russian equipment and into NATO standard type equipment," Vice Admiral Joseph Rixey, director of the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, told Cook. "We are prepared to execute if requested."

The prevalence of Russian military equipment among some U.S. allies also hampered efforts to impose new sanctions again Russia in response to its aggression in Syria and Ukraine, and cyberattacks against the Democratic party in 2016.

"We're looking long and hard about allies that have Russian equipment," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told the Washington Examiner about a new Russia sanctions bill that passed the Senate today. "I think they negotiated a pretty good compromise ... what we're trying to do is make sure we don't undermine our allies but also go after [Russian President Vladimir] Putin."

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Lawmaker warns: Some NATO allies still using Russian equipment - Washington Examiner

Scientists and experts from Norway and NATO partner countries discussed opportunities for practical cooperation to address common emerging security challenges during a Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme Information Day held in Oslo on 14 June 2017. Successful cooperation between Norway and NATOs SPS Programme included activities in the areas of Women, Peace and Security and unexploded ordnance (UXO) detection.

Organised in cooperation with the Norwegian Delegation to NATO and the Norwegian Research Council, the SPS Information Day provided an opportunity to exchange on possibilities for capacity-building and research cooperation with partners in defence and advanced technologies such as cyber defence, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) technology and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defence.

Norway has traditionally been a strong partner in the SPS programme, said Rune Resaland, Head of Department for Security Policy and the High North, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the period from 2000 until 2014, Norwegian researchers participated in more than 60 SPS projects. Currently, there is only one project with Norwegian involvement in the SPS. We hope that the SPS Information Day can contribute to more interest for SPS in Norway and sow the seeds for projects between Norwegian researchers and international partners in the future.

Human and social aspects of security, including civil-military relations, counter-terrorism and the Women, Peace and Security issues were a focus of discussions. Norway recently conducted an SPS research workshop aimed at sharing good practices for handling gender-related complaints in the armed forces, co-organised by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF). Experts dealing with gender-related harassment and discrimination engaged in a frank and open discussion and exchanged best practices. Their work resulted in the publication entitled Gender and Complaints Mechanisms Handbook to prevent and respond to gender-related discrimination.

Norway is also working with Ukraine on an SPS multi-year project to develop a 3D mine detector. This project complements other SPS efforts in support of humanitarian demining and forms part of NATOs Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine that was endorsed at the Warsaw Summit last year, says Dr Jamie Shea, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges. Together, these countries aim to design a state-of-the-art digital ground penetrating radar system which will detect dangerous targets such as mines, improvised explosive devices and explosive remnants of war. The device will provide a visual 3D image and automatically recognise the type of the detected object in up to three meters depth. Ultimately, the technology will allow faster, cheaper and safer clearance of former conflict zones and help to avoid victims among civilians and the military.

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NATO - News: Norway strengthens scientific cooperation with NATO ... - NATO HQ (press release)

Deutsche Welle

Anders Fogh Rasmussen on today's NATO Deutsche Welle Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen paid a visit to the DW-TV studios to discuss the organization's relationship with Russia and US. He also talked about other nations in the alliance as well.

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Anders Fogh Rasmussen on today's NATO - Deutsche Welle

Some 6,000 troops from 14 countries are taking part in the alliances Baltops (Baltic Operations) exercise in Poland and Germany this month

SUPERSONIC bombers have spearheaded an amphibious assault as part of a massive Nato military exercise on Russias doorstep.

Some 6,000 troops from 14 countries are taking part in the alliances Baltops (Baltic Operations) exercise in the Batlic Sea this month.

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Dramatic pictures show troops storming a beach in Ustka, Poland, yesterday.

Soldiers and vehicles charged ashore as aircraft whizzed by overhead in a terrifying display of force.

The manoeuvres began in Szczecin, Poland, on June 1, and will end in Kiel, Germany, tomorrow.

The aim of the exercise which is taking place in Russias backyard is for Nato and its allies to strengthen cooperation.

US Navy Vice Admiral Christopher Grady said: What we want to do is practice and demonstrate the ability to deliver sea control and power projection at and from the sea.

Baltops involves troops from Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the UK, the US, Finland and Sweden.

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Some 50 ships and submarines and over 50 aircraft were also present for the drills including B-1 and B-52 bombers, and F-16 fighter jets.

US Navy Commander Edward Chandler said: This exercise is a great opportunity for the United States, Nato allies and partners to practice air and maritime integration.

Baltops is not a new event, and has been taking place since 1972.

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Grady added: Weve maintained a consistent level of participation over the last couple of years.

Its a very large exercise with a lot of moving parts and the participants will provide that realistic and challenging training were looking for.

The exercise comes after US B-52 bombers were intercepted over the Baltic by Russian fighter jets.

SU-27s were deployed to head off the aircraft, which the US says were flying in international airspace at the time.

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The Baltic has been a source of tension between Nato and Russia in recent times, with both sides building up their military presence in the region.

Baltic States like Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania fear they could be next on Vladimir Putins hit-list after Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2014.

Just last month, Russia announced it was planning to beef up its Baltic fleet with new warships and fighter jets.

According to an analyst writing for state-owned Sputnik News, the deployment is in response to aggressive manoeuvres by Nato powers.

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Nato supersonic jets and massive military vehicles storm a beach in ... - The Sun

General Petr Pavel, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee visited Sydney and Canberra while in Australia 9 to 14 June 2017. During his visit, the Chairman met with Mr. Brendan Sargeant, Acting Secretary of the Department of Defence; Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, the Chief of the Australian Defence Force; Vice Admiral David Johnston, Chief of Joint Operations; Major General Gavan Reynolds, Australias Military Representative to NATO; Commodore Luke Charles-Jones, Acting Australian Fleet Commander; Captain Ashley Papp, Commanding Officer of HMAS Canberra; The Honourable Dr. Brendan Nelson, Director of the Australian War Memorial; and Major General Simone Wilkie, Commander of the Australian Defence College. General Pavel also attended a meeting of the Special Chiefs of Service Committee.

After meeting with Vice Admiral David Johnston, Chief of Joint Operations, the Chairman received briefings on the current Australian Operations and Missions and toured the Joint Operations Command Headquarters. General Pavel remarked on the professionalism of the Australian Armed Forces and their ability to plug in quickly to both NATO-led and multinational Operations and Missions. We can learn from each other, share best practices, develop common standards and reinforce each others efforts to all our benefits. I have the utmost respect for the Australian Defence Forces who contribute to peacekeeping and multinational operations and missions in their region but also around the world because they strongly believe it is the "right thing to do"' stated the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee.

Discussions with Acting Secretary of the Department of Defence, Mr. Brendan Sargeant and Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin focused on the current security challenges and the benefits of working together to find global solutions to shared threats. While attending the Special Chiefs of Service Committee, General Pavel took the opportunity to thank Australia for its continued commitment to the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission to train, assist and advise the Afghan Armed Forces and Institutions. You have played a significant role in Afghanistan and your service men and women do a magnificent job. We should continue to build on our shared experiences, stressed General Pavel.

During his visit to the Australian War Memorial, the Chairman met with The Honourable Dr. Brendan Nelson, Director of the Australian War Memorial and toured the Commemorative Area. Participating in the Last Post Ceremony with Air Chief Marshal Binskin, General Pavel paid his respects and laid a wreath at the base of the Pool of Reflection in honour of all the Australian fallen who have given their lives in service, protecting freedom, peace and security.

Visiting the Australian Defence College, General Pavel was greeted by Major General Simone Wilkie, Commander of the Defence College. After delivering a speech on NATO's Strategic Challenges, the Chairman held a Question and Answer session with the students. He stressed the interconnectivity of current security challenges and the need to continue to work together to find common solutions.

Concluding his visit to Australia, the Chairman visited Fleet Headquarters where he met with Commodore Luke Charles-Jones, Acting Australian Fleet Commander. Discussions focused on the need to protect global commons, increase interoperability and preparedness. Touring the flagship HMAS Canberra, General Pavel received a guided tour from Captain Ashley Papp, Commanding Officer, as well as a briefing on the ship's capabilities.

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'Australia is a highly valued, reliable and respected Partner', says Chairman of the NATO Military Committee - NATO HQ (press release)

As Russia and Belarus prep for their quadrennial fight-the-West wargame, NATOs Baltic states are watching more than a bit nervously.

For the Baltic countries on NATOs northeastern flank, carefully monitoring Russias various defense investments and activities is nothing new. Like brushing your teeth, its just a matter of staying healthy, Estonias defense minister told a small group of reporters while visiting the U.S. last week. Observing Russian military activity is that routine, but we do it even more often, hesaid.

So Margus Tsahkna and his counterparts in neighboring Latvia and Lithuania say theyre in no way unprepared for Russias upcoming military exercise, Zapad (West) 2017. The joint exercise with Belarus, which simulates a full-scale conflict with the West, happens every four years. But even so, its not comfortable at all when we expect to have 100,000 troops around our borders, Lithuanian Minister of Defence Raimundas Karoblis said during a recent visit toWashington.

Scheduled for autumn, this years Zapad will be the first since Russia annexed Crimea in2014.

Estonias Tsahkna said transparency is always a question whenever Russia conducts exercises. Several Baltic officials have warned that Russia may leave troops in Belarus after the exercise. During his own trip to the United States, Latvias defense minister, Raimonds Bergmanis, said his department is trying to figure out just how likely thatis.

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But even if those fears prove unfounded, such a large buildup is simply destabilizing, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said while visiting Lithuania lastmonth.

More military units in a given area raises the chance of everything from accidents to probes to deliberateprovocations.

We are treating these as exercises as such, nothing more, but of course, on the local level, some risks are here, Karoblis said. We need to also be prepared for surprises they could, say, go to a different direction than planned, and there also may be some tests of how the border protection is working,etc.

The exercise fits into the wider picture of disruptive Russian activities, from buzzing Baltic, U.S. and NATO military ships and aircraft in the region to information campaigns designed to destabilize Western nations. Karoblis said some Russian politicians have begun suggesting that two of Lithuanias western provinces close to Kaliningrad were originally given to the country by Joseph Stalin statements that echo Moscows rhetoric around the historical ownership and culture of Crimea and easternUkraine.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have been rapidly increasing their defense spending ever since Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea. But ultimately, their ability to deter Moscow depends on their European and NATO allies. Each Baltic country could mobilize several tens of thousands of troops, not the hundred thousand Russia is likely to amass for this exercisealone.

We have no doubt that if something happened, our NATO allies would come and react, Estonias Tsahkna said. Now we have 19 different nations with their troops in the Baltic region. That means that all their nations and their military people are asking the same questions we have foryears.

This past weekend, President Trump explicitly affirmed the U.S. commitment to Article 5, which requires the alliance to collectively defend any member under militaryattack.

Trump had not done so during a visit to the alliance headquarters in Brussels two weeks earlier, surprising his fellow heads of state and even his own administration officials, who spent the following days reassuring allies about Americans continued commitments around the globe.

Last week, the Baltic defense ministers said they were confident in it anyway Mattis had articulated those vows when visiting Lithuania. But an explicitly united front, including the U.S., creates a strongerdeterrent.

That is why the Baltic defense ministers spent last week hopping between DC think tank events and meetings on Capitol Hill as a trio more often thannot.

For defense ministers, we absolutely are singular as you mentioned, like the Three Musketeers, Bergmanis said. But maybe the U.S. is DArtagnan, the fourth Musketeer to helpout.

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A Giant Russian Exercise Will Soon Put 100,000 Troops on NATO's ... - Defense One