Building A More Credible And Capable NATO Deterrent In The East

Executive Summary

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The growing threat from Russia requires a new NATO strategy that directly addresses the range of challenges Moscow presents. NATO must continue to transition from a tripwire deterrent built around relatively small forward presence units and toward a more credible combined arms deterrent. NATO members need to focus more attention and resources on modernizing military equipment. Greater investments are needed in critical capabilities such as air and missile defenses, modern aircraft, armored fighting vehicles, networks and cyber. Washington needs to continue to build up the presence of U.S. forces along NATO’s eastern flank. The deployment of additional U.S forces eastward is critical to deterring Russian aggression.

On September 13, 2019, the Lexington Institute hosted a working group on the subject of building a more credible and capable NATO deterrent in the East. In attendance were more than 50 defense experts, government officials, military officers and industry representatives from across the Alliance. The discussion covered a range of subjects including: threats to NATO security, NATO’s evolving defense strategy, the redeployment of forces towards the Alliance’s eastern flank, the U.S.-Polish agreement on the stationing of forces, investments in modernized capabilities, logistics requirements and the post-INF security environment.