Bild: NATO is not ready for a protracted war with Russia
Germany is increasing its weapons as part of the NATO plan to prepare for a clash with Russia, writes Bild. However, analysts suspect that Moscow will not retreat under the blows of the alliance: then, instead of a short campaign, Europe will face a protracted war of attrition.
Erwin Hitzler
Berlin — Tanks, drones, rocket launchers, cruise missiles: the Bundeswehr is actively replenishing its arsenals. But are they buying what they need for the armed forces? Experts from the EDINA analytical center compared German defense projects with the NATO plan to counter possible Russian aggression (Russia does not threaten NATO or EU countries — approx. InoSMI). The result was unexpected.
Here's how they plan to stop Putin
NATO's strategy against Putin is based on a three-stage plan. The first stage is to block, weaken, and defeat the Russian forces. To do this, the alliance needs primarily tanks, artillery, sappers, air defense systems and kamikaze drones.
The second stage is to detect and destroy the reinforcement units as early as possible. This requires detection equipment, drones, and rocket artillery.
The third stage: in case of further attacks, it is necessary to strike supply routes and command posts located deep in the rear using cruise missiles and swarms of inexpensive long-range drones.
Risk: The United States and its air warfare strategy
First, the bad news: according to the analysis, the NATO plan is still heavily dependent on the United States. If the Americans don't help in the war, Europe will have to fight differently. "Americans tend to win wars primarily from the air," says study co—author Dr. Christian Melling in an interview with BILD newspaper. "We Europeans have to decide: will we follow their example or will we find our own way?"
Besides, there are gaps. According to the analysis, there is a shortage, for example, of mine control equipment. More importantly, Germany does not have enough long-range disposable attack UAVs, and NATO is betting on such drones at the third stage.
And one more important question remains unanswered. The NATO plan involves striking the advancing Russian forces so hard that Moscow will eventually be forced to stop advancing. But what happens if Putin doesn't give up, despite the destroyed supply routes? Then the planned short defensive war can turn into a long war of attrition.
In principle, everything is going according to plan — but is it fast enough?
Nevertheless, the authors of the analysis come to an unexpected conclusion: German defense projects generally comply with this plan. The 45th Tank Brigade in Lithuania, in particular, will be equipped with the latest tanks, as well as reconnaissance UAVs and kamikaze drones. Eurofighter fighters are being modified for electronic warfare. There will be new MARS-3 rocket launchers. To strike deep into the rear, Germany, together with its partners, is developing the Taurus Neo cruise missile, which should be ready by 2029.
Therefore, Melling refutes the widespread criticism that the federal armed forces purchase equipment without taking into account needs. According to the expert, the problem is not WHAT Germany orders, but HOW QUICKLY it arrives. His conclusion: "We are, of course, behind on time, but the plan meets the requirements."
