NATO aims to increase the number of operational brigades from 82 to 131, each consisting of 5,000 personnel, as reported by Die Welt on October 5, 2024. This expansion is driven by the need for enhanced defense against Russian threats, particularly from Germany and other member states.
The plan involves creating 49 new large units, which would add approximately 250,000 troops to NATO's ranks. Additionally, the number of combat corps is set to rise from six to fifteen, and division headquarters from 24 to 38. The document emphasizes that abandoning this plan would undermine trust in the alliance and its strategic commanders.
To support these troops, there is a call for significant technical upgrades, increased ammunition supplies, and long-range precision weapons. The number of ground-based air defense units is expected to quintuple from 293 to 1,467, equipped with systems like Patriot and Iris T-SLM. The number of combat helicopters is projected to increase from 90 to 104.
The document outlines 'minimum capability requirements' (MCR) established by U.S. General Christopher Cavoli and French Admiral Pierre Vandier, highlighting the need for substantial investments in defense. It is anticipated that achieving NATO's objectives will require member states to invest significantly more than 2% of their GDP in defense.
Before the NATO defense ministers' meeting in October 2025, MCR will be allocated among the 32 member countries as mandatory targets for military capability enhancement. The German government has stated that meeting NATO's capability enhancement goals is a national priority.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, during a surprise visit to Kyiv on October 3, pledged to strengthen Western support for Ukraine in its defensive war against Russia. He affirmed Ukraine's right to self-defense, indicating that it should be able to strike Russian territory with long-range Western missiles.
Rutte also addressed Ukraine's NATO membership prospects, noting that recent cooperative efforts among allies are paving the way for future membership, including €40 billion in financial aid and new NATO command structures for coordinating assistance and training.