Policy Brief NATO MoD Meeting

NATO DEFENCE
MINISTERS’ MEETING
11-12 October 2023
Policy Brief
185 SPE 23 E | Original: English | October 2023
This Policy Brief is presented for information only and does not
represent the official view of the Assembly.
Offentligt
NPA Alm.del - Bilag 1
NATO's Parlamentariske Forsamling 2023-24
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NATO DEFENCE MINISTERS’ MEETING,
11-12 OCTOBER 2023
KEY TAKEAWAYS
NATO Defence Ministers met in Brussels on 11 and 12 October 2023 in several sessions.
In addition to a session “Allies plus Invitee”, the ministers also met in a session with their
Israeli counterpart (joining online) as well as in a session including the European Union.
The meeting was preceded by a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, in the
presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A meeting of the NATO-Ukraine
Council also took place, for the first time at the level of Defence Ministers.
Agenda:
- Support for Ukraine
- Solidarity with Israel
- Ongoing missions and operations
- Strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence
- Damaged Baltic Sea pipeline and communications cable
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I. SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
Ministers discussed the situation in Ukraine and ways of strengthening Allied and NATO
support.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his first visit to NATO headquarters
since Russia’s 2022 invasion. He joined a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group,
where over 50 nations discussed how to step up, sustain and coordinate military support for
Ukraine.
Ahead of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting, the Secretary General underlined that
“we must continue to step up and sustain the steady flow of weapons and ammunitions
to Ukraine. The stronger Ukraine is on the battlefield, the stronger they will be at the
negotiating table, and the sooner this war will end. And we need to put in place a
long-term framework that will ensure history does not repeat itself.”
Several Allies announced new packages ahead or at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group
meeting, for example:
- Belgium and Denmark confirmed plans to deliver F-16 jets.
- Germany announced a 1 billion-euro package, which focuses on air defence
(including Patriot IRIS-T, Gepard systems), weapons and ground vehicles.
- The United States will provide USD 200+ million in air defence, artillery and rocket
ammunition.
- The United Kingdom committed EUR 100+ million for air defence and mine
clearance equipment.
- Canada committed to donating winter clothing and equipment, worth for about CAD
25 million.
Allies also discussed how to significantly increase their stockpiles of a number of
battle-decisive munitions – not only to replenish their own stocks, but also to continue to
support Ukraine. They continue ramping up through existing structures, platforms with industry
as well as NATO's capability targets. Since the Vilnius Summit in July, the NATO Support
and Procurement Agency, for example, has framework contracts and orders worth an
estimated EUR 2.4 billion (EUR 1 billion in firm orders). Allies are also working on joint
efforts with Ukraine to produce more ammunition, including inside Ukraine.
NATO Allies also agreed to step up support for the winter months, including through the
provision of more cold weather clothing, demining capabilities, fuel, and medical equipment.
As the Secretary General noted, “Russia is stepping up its attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure
and is preparing again to use winter as a weapon of war.”
On sustaining NATO and Allied support to Ukraine, the NATO Secretary General said: “I’m
confident that NATO Allies will continue to do so not least because it is in our security
interest that Ukraine prevails. Their fight is our fight. Their security is our security. Their
values are our values.” Asked about how the terrorist attacks by Hamas and its affiliates
could impact support to Ukraine, he stressed that “we have the capability, the strength to
address different challenges at the same time. We don't have the luxury of choosing only
one set and one challenge.”
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The NATO-Ukraine Council met, for the first time in the format of Ministers of Defence,
with Ukraine’s new Defence Minister Rustem Umerov participating. The Council discussed
Ukraine’s priorities on its path to NATO membership and also focused on long-term
interoperability and defence procurement.
During his press conference following the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting, NATO Secretary
General stressed defence and security governance reforms: “A modernised defence and
security sector will not only help Ukraine to prevail; It will also ensure the Ukrainians can
sustain peace and stability. Allies commended Ukraine’s continued fight against corruption,
even in the midst of Russia’s brutal war.”
II. SOLIDARITY WITH ISRAEL
Allied Defence Ministers were briefed by their counterpart Yoav Gallant about Hamas’ attack
against Israel.
Allies strongly condemned Hamas’ indefensible attacks on civilians and expressed
solidarity with Israel, making clear that it has the right to defend itself. They called for Hamas
to immediately release all hostages, and stressed that as the conflict unfolds, the protection
of civilians is essential. Allies also made clear that no nation or organisation hostile to
Israel should neither seek to take advantage of the situation nor to escalate it. In his
replies to the media, the Secretary General mentioned Hezbollah and Iran in particular.
A number of NATO Allies made clear that they are providing practical support to Israel as it
continues to respond to the situation.
III. ONGOING MISSIONS AND OPERATIONS
Defence ministers reviewed NATO’s ongoing missions and operations.
In Kosovo, NATO has already deployed hundreds of additional reserves forces following
recent tensions, as well as ordered more patrols in the north. KFOR is expected to reach close
to 4,700 personnel by the end of October.
Ministers urged Belgrade and Pristina to behave responsibly, refrain from destabilising
actions, and re-engage in the EU-facilitated dialogue as the only way to lasting peace in
Kosovo.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Allies expressed their ongoing support for the EU-led Operation
Althea, conducted under the Berlin plus Agreements.
In Iraq, NATO is expanding support for the Iraqi forces at their request, with a view to
preventing the return of ISIS.
NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg also announced that Assistant Secretary General
Tom Goffus would act as his Special Counter-Terrorism Coordinator – a position created
as part of the agreement between NATO, Türkiye and Sweden at the Vilnius Summit in July.
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IV. STRENGTHENING NATO’S DETERRENCE AND DEFENCE
Ministers took stock of the work underway to resource and exercise the defence plans
that Allied leaders agreed at the Vilnius Summit.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also emphasised the role of NATO’s nuclear
weapons in deterring aggression. He noted that NATO would hold its annual
Steadfast Noon exercise the following week over Croatia, Italy and the Mediterranean Sea.
Steadfast Noon is hosted by a different NATO Ally each year and helps ensure that the
Alliance’s nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure and effective.
Asked about Vladimir Putin’s statement that Russia could consider withdrawing from the
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), NATO Secretary General
Jens Stoltenberg stressed that Russia’s “nuclear rhetoric throughout this conflict has been,
and continues to be, reckless and dangerous”. He added that: “we continue to watch what
Russia is doing very closely. So far, we haven't seen any changes in their nuclear posture that
require any changes in our nuclear posture. But of course, Russia's announcement on
revoking ratification of the comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, demonstrates Russia's lack of
respect, and the continued disregard for its international commitments.” He concluded: “We
will continue to support Ukraine and will not allow President Putin to blackmail NATO Allies
through his nuclear rhetoric”.
On the margins of the Ministerial meeting, two groups of Allies signed initiatives to
support Allied air power cooperation:
- Germany and the United Kingdom joined the NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE)
High Visibility Project, bringing the total number of participants to 12 (Belgium, Czechia,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Spain,
Türkiye, United Kingdom). NFTE aims to ensure that sufficient state-of-the-art pilot
training is available around Europe in a cost-efficient and interoperable manner.
- Thirteen Allies (Albania, Bulgaria, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy,
North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Türkiye) and invitee
Sweden signed an agreement to cooperate on cross-border airspace. This reflects the
participating nations’ commitment to ensure that Allied civil and military authorities can
collaborate on the use of air space for NATO training and exercises, and other air
activities in several regions of Europe.
In addition, Defence Ministers from 10 NATO Allies signed a memorandum of
understanding to further develop the European Sky Shield Initiative. Under Germany’s
leadership, the initiative aims to bolster European air and missile defence through the joint
acquisition of air defence equipment and missiles by European nations. The 10 NATO Allies
participating in the initiative are: Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hungary,
Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands and Slovenia.
V. DAMAGE ON BALTIC SEA PIPELINE AND COMMUNICATIONS CABLE
Ministers discussed the recent damage to undersea infrastructure between Estonia and
Finland and expressed their strong solidarity with both Allies as they work to establish the
facts.
NATO stood ready to support this effort and the exchange of information. However, it was too
early to determine exactly what caused the damage to the pipeline and the cable.
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Ministers made clear, however, that, if it is proven to be a deliberate attack on NATO
critical infrastructure, this will be a serious incident and will be met by a united and
determined response.
The NATO Secretary General noted that since the Nord Stream sabotage a year ago,
Allies had taken steps to strengthen the protection of undersea infrastructure, including
through greater coordination with private operators. In particular, NATO established a
Critical Undersea Infrastructure Coordination Cell at NATO Headquarters and was in the
process of setting up a NATO Maritime Centre for the Security of Critical Undersea
Infrastructure within MARCOM, the NATO Maritime Command in the UK.
At the same time, Mr Stoltenberg stressed that undersea infrastructure was inherently
vulnerable. Therefore, it was important to share information, intelligence and best practices as
well as enhance deterrence.
NATO PA President, Michal Szczerba, had expressed his concern about the damage to
infrastructure in the Baltic Sea in a statement issued on 10 October, while the day before, at
the annual session in Copenhagen, the Assembly adopted in its plenary sitting a resolution
put forward by the Science and Technology Committee on the need to further enhance the
protection of undersea infrastructure.
VI. ADDITIONAL NOTES
Sweden’s accession to NATO
The NATO Secretary General welcomed confirmation by the Turkish Minister of Defence that
Türkiye stands by the agreement reached at the Vilnius Summit to finalise the accession of
Sweden to the Alliance. Mr Stoltenberg noted he expected the Turkish government to now
submit ratification to the Turkish parliament.
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